As part of an agenda to strengthen the corporate social responsibility of the bank, GCB Bank PLC, has cut sod for the construction of a paediatric unit for the University of Ghana at a ceremony held at the mother’s wing unit of the University of Ghana Hospital.

The centre seeks to contribute to steps in improving neonatal and maternal healthcare.

The ceremony brought together the leadership of the bank, the hospital as well as the academic community of the University of Ghana as they witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony.

The leadership of the bank was represented by Kofi Adomakoh, the Managing Director, Sam Addo, Executive Director of Wholesale and Investment Banking and Linus Kumi, Head of Corporate Banking.

The university was represented by Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Gordon Abekah-Nkrumah, Chairman of the Hospital Management Committee, Professor Mark Sando Yidana, Provost of College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Professor Joseph Yao, Provost of College of Humanities, Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson, Provost College of Health Sciences, Professor Justice Bawole, Dean of University of Ghana Business School and Emelia Agyei-Mensah, the Registrar.

The Managing Director of GCB Bank PLC, Kofi Adomakoh who spoke to JoyNews highlighted that the construction of the unit aligns with the bank’s broader CSR strategy which prioritizes community well-being in key areas including health.

The paediatric unit, when completed will include a six-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) equipped to offer neonatal intensive care for pre-term babies as well as an eight-bed high-dependency unit for specialized paediatric care which is usually not available in a normal ward.

The unit will also house an eight-bed infant unit, a two-bedroom isolation unit and a two-bed private room. Additionally, the paediatric unit will have a 16-bed toddler and older children’s ward, theatre and recovery units and a three-room labour and delivery suite fitted with state–of–the–art equipment.

Mr Adomakoh further indicated that the construction of the unit represented a profound opportunity for the bank to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of children.

He also added that the facility will provide more than just healthcare but will go a long way to ensure the total well-being of future generations and support the training of medical staff.

“We do not view this project merely as an infrastructure investment. It is an investment in our children’s lives, our healthcare system’s resilience and our community’s prosperity. It reflects a broader aspiration of promoting social responsibility and fostering sustainable development in every part of the country,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Hospital, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, stated that “it is important to acknowledge that the resources required to transform the operations of the Hospital, and the Health Services Directorate cannot be shouldered by the University alone.

"This is why we are especially grateful for the strong and enduring partnerships we have cultivated with external stakeholders over the years. One such invaluable partner is GCB bank, which has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the development of the university.”

For over 60 years, the bank has cultivated a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the university. One of the most recent and tangible outcomes of this partnership is the construction of the paediatric unit, which aims to address a critical challenge in healthcare delivery for the university community and its surrounding residents.

The bank has made crucial contributions to the health sector as part of its CSR agenda and commitment to improving the general well-being of Ghanaians including notable donations of cash, equipment and infrastructure to various health facilities such as the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and 37 Military Hospital.

GCB Bank PLC is a leading player in Ghana’s banking industry, with 184 branches, 340 ATMs and a host of banking agents spread across the length and breadth of the country. As Ghana’s premier indigenous bank, GCB Bank has, since its establishment in 1953, been described as a systemic bank with significant contributions to Ghana’s growth in multiple sectors including oil and gas, agriculture, commerce, and others.

The bank has transformed itself into one of Ghana’s most modern banks in terms of its financial intermediation capabilities including digital payment platforms and consequently strengthened its corporate reputation both at home and abroad.

The Bank’s relationship with its stakeholders is delivered on a platform of trust, support and collaboration and anchored through its brand promise, “Your Bank for Life.”