GCB Bank PLC has taken a bold step toward transforming the narrative of women’s leadership in Ghana’s financial sector with the official launch of Sheagles Soar, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering women to ascend the corporate ladder.
The programme, which seeks to dismantle institutional barriers and repair the so-called “broken rung” that often hinders women from rising into senior leadership roles, marks a new chapter in the Bank’s commitment to inclusion and equality.
Anchored on the 3Ps Framework—Professional, Personal, and Partnerships—Sheagles Soar is designed to equip women across different levels of the banking industry with the competence, confidence, and connectivity required to lead effectively. It is not just another corporate initiative but a strategic movement aimed at redefining the culture of leadership within one of Ghana’s largest indigenous banks.
A Vision Rooted in Inclusion and Empowerment
Speaking at the grand launch event, Managing Director of GCB Bank PLC, Mr. Farihan Alhassan, reaffirmed the Bank’s unwavering commitment to developing women leaders across the organization. “It is not about replacing men with women but about forging a leadership culture where everyone thrives and contributes fully,” he remarked.
Mr. Alhassan highlighted the holistic approach of the initiative, emphasizing that Sheagles Soar was designed to nurture authentic leadership among women while building their ability to influence corporate agendas and leave a lasting legacy. “This program builds competence, confidence, and connectivity, equipping women to lead with authenticity and impact,” he added.
Through Sheagles Soar, GCB Bank is signaling its determination to cultivate an inclusive environment where leadership is defined not by gender, but by talent, performance, and vision.
A Cultural Shift Towards Equality and Opportunity
At the heart of Sheagles Soar is a broader vision to reshape GCB Bank’s internal culture and create a strong leadership pipeline for women. Peter Yao Bosrotsi, Manager of HR Business Partnering, shed light on this transformational agenda, noting that the initiative reflects GCB’s dedication to strengthening leadership capacity among women.
“Sheagles Soar is a sign of GCB’s commitment to strengthening the leadership pipeline and creating equal opportunities for women to rise to the top. It is about reshaping our culture to embrace inclusion, confidence, and influence.”
Peter Yao Bosrotsi
This vision is complemented by GCB Bank’s strategic target to increase women’s representation on its Executive Committee to at least 30% by 2028—a clear and measurable goal that underscores the Bank’s long-term commitment to gender diversity in leadership.
An Evening of Inspiration and Empowerment
The launch event, held in grand style, was both symbolic and inspiring. It opened with a powerful spoken word performance by Emmanuella Kuffour Banafo, Acting Lead of Talent Management at GCB Bank, whose poetic expression set the tone for an evening of empowerment and transformation.
A major highlight of the event was an interactive live coaching session led by Grace Krobo-Edusei, CEO of Grace Centre for Growth and Excellence. The session offered participants practical strategies for personal and professional growth, focusing on self-leadership, communication, and workplace dynamics.
The evening climaxed with the unveiling of the Sheagles Soar brand, marked by a special video presentation and a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the sky—symbolizing the Bank’s bold step toward a new leadership dawn.
Male Allyship and the HeForShe Pledge
One of the defining moments of the night was the symbolic signing of the HeForShe Pledge Book by Professor Joshua Alabi, Board Chairman of GCB Bank PLC. The act underscored the importance of male allyship in advancing gender inclusion within corporate leadership.
In his remarks, Prof. Alabi reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to advancing women’s participation in executive leadership positions. “At GCB Bank, we have drawn a clear programme of action to drive women’s inclusivity at the highest levels of our organisation,” he said. “Our goal is to improve women’s representation on the Executive Committee by at least 30% by 2028. Initiatives like Sheagles Soar will be central to achieving this transformation.”
The pledge demonstrated that inclusion is not solely a women’s issue—it is a collective responsibility that requires both men and women to collaborate in creating a balanced leadership ecosystem.
Building a Generation of Competent, Confident, and Connected Leaders
The Sheagles Soar initiative offers a structured leadership pathway tailored to various career stages—Supervisory, Management, and Executive—each designed to equip women with the specific skills needed to thrive at their respective levels.
At the Supervisory Level, participants focus on self-leadership, communication, and team coordination. The Management Level emphasizes strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and agility, while the Executive Level hones vision-setting, enterprise leadership, and boardroom readiness.
This tiered approach ensures that women are not only prepared for advancement but are also mentored and coached to sustain excellence once they reach leadership positions.
Through Sheagles Soar, GCB Bank PLC is not merely investing in the professional growth of women—it is investing in the future of Ghana’s banking sector. By creating a framework that nurtures authenticity, competence, and collaboration, the Bank is laying the foundation for a more inclusive and dynamic leadership culture.
As the first cohort of Sheagles Soar participants begin their leadership journey, GCB Bank’s initiative stands as a testament to what is possible when an organization moves beyond rhetoric to action. With vision, strategy, and commitment, Sheagles Soar is poised to become the catalyst for a new era of women’s leadership in Ghana’s banking industry—one where the ceiling is shattered, and the sky is the limit.
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