#FutureForward - Growth Strategies For A Sustainable Tomorrow

Empowering today’s generation across both unbanked and banked demography requires a steady understanding of our audience’s needs and behaviours. As Ghana’s topmost digital bank, we launched our first LinkedIn Audio series dubbed #FutureForward; on the backdrop of the vast potential of the sustainability of the SME (Small and medium sized Enterprise) in the Ghanaian economy, and its direct impact on the country’s entire growth in wealth, innovation and citizen’s employment. 

In today’s digital space of endless technologies and possibilities which is far beyond the world’s view and utility, we recognize the importance of strategy planning and reconsideration across sectors. More importantly, as the year comes to its end, businesses are encouraged to adopt a more structured approach to meeting their customers’ needs, while leveraging the many services Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Ltd offers.

On the 29th of November 2024, we were joined by Edna Frimpong – shoemakergurl, PR - Ahofade Fashion, Agnes S. B. Owusu-Afram – Divisional Head, Corporate Communication & Experience, GTBank Ghana, Yaw Adusei – Chief Information Security Officer, GTBank Ghana, Emmanuel Arkoh Nkum – Ag. Group Head, Digital Banking, GTBank Ghana, Hannah Ayernor – Divisional Head, SME Bank, GTBank Ghana and Umaru Sanda Amadu , Journalist - Channel One, who joined as our host.

With consideration for the season, our conversation was focused on growth strategies for a sustainable tomorrow, keenly establishing the importance of branding in all aspects as opined by Agnes S. B. Owusu-Afram . In her delivery, she said “Branding is how you want to be or are perceived by the public. Consider acting according to the image you put out of your business. This is what sets businesses apart from their competitors. It is worth noting that, management and staff’s personal lives match business values.”. On the season’s cherished digital strategies, Emmanuel Arkoh Nkum added that “In the past 4 years, there has been significant growth in the digital economy. It is critical to have an online presence as a business; have multiple payment options, and most of all leverage good partnerships to grow your business.”. Yaw Adusei encouraged businesses to tighten security in all aspects, and suggested outsourcing to professionals where necessary “If it is ‘digitable’, it can be hacked. You need to protect your customers’ data, prioritize security and enable security platforms to protect your business”.

In a report published by Bank of Ghana in December 2021, according to world bank, 44% of small and medium sized enterprises are owned by women in Ghana. The Head of SME Bank, Hannah Ayernor confirms the validity of this data, backing it with internal figures and innovations available for business owners. She added  “data certainly proves that a higher percentage of SME owners are female or women. As an enabling bank, GTBank provides exceptional advisory and funding for SMEs to support their businesses. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this great offer.”

Conclusively, it is worth noting that our effort to educate and empower businesses would invite a strong voice and determined young business owner, Edna Frimpong , whose vision has transformed the brand “Ahofade”. In her own experience, “Your team must share the values of your business to support its overall growth. I believe having a personal brand has also boosted my business and I will encourage more business owners to consider a balanced approach for advertisement and consumer preference purposes.”

#FutureForward promises to educate, empower and drive businesses, students and the public of Guaranty Trust Bank’s commitment to supporting the growth of SMEs and the intricate needs of its cherished customers, with this initiation as one of many innovations to come.