The Managing Director of GCB Bank PLC, Mr Farihan Alhassan, has been honoured with the Special African Leadership Commendation Award in recognition of his contribution to Ghana's banking sector and his leadership in promoting institutional growth, innovation and financial inclusion.
The award was presented by former Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Chairman of the Global Advisory Board of the African Leadership Organisation (ALO), during the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) ceremony held at the historic House of Lords in London.
According to the organisers, the honour followed a merit-based selection and independent assessment conducted by the Global Advisory Board and Editorial Board of the African Leadership Organisation.
The citation recognised Mr Alhassan's leadership in strengthening customer-focused banking, improving operational excellence, driving innovation and reinforcing GCB Bank's position as one of Ghana's leading indigenous financial institutions.
The organisers also commended his strategic leadership across the retail and corporate banking sectors, highlighting his commitment to institutional excellence, financial inclusion, sustainable economic development and his contribution to the transformation of Ghana's financial services industry.
Receiving the award, Mr Alhassan described the recognition as a tribute to the collective efforts of the Board, Management and staff of GCB Bank.
"I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition. I accept it on behalf of the entire staff of GCB Bank, whose dedication, professionalism and commitment to excellence continue to drive the Bank's success. This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative banking solutions, supporting businesses and individuals, and contributing meaningfully to Ghana's economic growth and Africa's development," he said.
The recognition came shortly after Mr Alhassan participated in the African Banking, Finance and Economic Leadership Roundtable, where policymakers and banking executives explored practical strategies for mobilising capital to accelerate Africa's economic transformation.
During the discussions, he emphasised that Africa's financing challenge was not a shortage of capital but rather the need for stronger risk-sharing mechanisms, blended finance solutions and strategic partnerships capable of unlocking long-term investment.
The panel featured the Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, Henry F. Saamoi; President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), George Agyekum Donkor; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Shehu Usman Osidi; Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank Zambia Limited, Kapumpe Chola; and Group Managing Director of CRDB Bank Plc, Tanzania, Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela.
Now in its 16th year, the African Business Leadership Awards has established itself as one of the continent's leading platforms for recognising individuals and institutions driving economic transformation, innovation and sustainable development.
Held under the theme "From Vision to Velocity: Driving Africa's Next Wave of Growth and Leadership," this year's event brought together heads of state, ministers, chief executives, investors, diplomats and development partners from across Africa.
Other distinguished recipients included Ghana's Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Executive Chairman of the McDan Group, Daniel McKorley, and renowned Ghanaian business leader Sir Sam Jonah, alongside several other African business and public sector leaders.