Accra: GCB Bank PLC (GCB) has announced the appointment of Aurelia Baaba Ofori Odame as the new Executive Head of Afro Asia Trade and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). This strategic move aligns with the Bank's efforts to enhance cross-regional trade, strengthen public sector partnerships, and explore new growth avenues across Africa and Asia.
According to Ghana News Agency, Aurelia Odame is set to lead the Bank's Afro-Asia trade and SOE engagement strategy in these economically dynamic regions. The appointment reflects GCB Bank's vision to serve as a bridge between emerging markets, facilitating capital, trade flows, and market access, while also driving development impact.
The Africa-Asia trade corridor has witnessed significant growth over the past decade, fueled by infrastructure investments, digital transformation, and increased collaboration between private and public sectors. SOEs continue to play a crucial role in national development, particularly in sectors like agriculture, health, sustainable energy, transportation, education, and telecommunications. GCB Bank sees this as an opportunity to influence trade flows and activities in both established and emerging trade corridors.
Managing Director Farihan Alhassan expressed the Bank's commitment to the growth of Ghanaian businesses and the economy. He stated, "Aurelia's mandate is to deliver a cohesive strategy that enhances the Bank's offerings to SOEs and trade clients, encompassing bespoke financial solutions, sustainable trade finance, and advisory services for national growth opportunities in Africa and Asia."
The Bank emphasizes its customer-centric approach, requiring a deep understanding of client needs, proactive engagement, and the development of tailored solutions to create tangible value for businesses and sectors. With Aurelia's appointment, GCB Bank reaffirms its commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable trade growth, creating market opportunities, and enabling infrastructure and industrial transformation through funding.
Aurelia Odame brings extensive expertise, regional knowledge, and a proven track record in building cross-border relationships within Africa and Asia. With over 17 years of experience in retail, corporate, and commercial banking, she specializes in cross-border trade, trade finance, relationship management, and strategic business development. She joins GCB from Stanbic Bank, where she led the Africa-China Trade Banking unit, achieving significant growth and facilitating substantial export inflows.
In her previous role, Aurelia Odame was instrumental in utilizing trade lines with an Asian policy bank to support trade transactions and drove the adoption of the Renminbi (RMB) for trade settlements. She also established Stanbic Bank's first dedicated Trade Hub for Africa-China and intra-Africa trade.
Aurelia's career spans various leadership roles in Branch Management, Retail and Consumer Banking, Business and Commercial Banking, and Corporate Banking at Stanbic and United Bank for Africa (UBA), where she consistently delivered innovative trade solutions and outstanding performance. GCB Bank looks forward to her leadership as it continues to connect strategically with Africa and Asia through finance, trade, and shared opportunities.
