…Member’s $33k Jumbo Package For Training Programe Causes Stir
A humongous cash perk that state-owned bank, GCB Bank PLC, has paid one of its Board of Director being sponsored by the bank for a training programme in South Africa has left many in awe.
The staggering US$33,000 paid to Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu in respect of his scheduled travel to Johannesburg on May 27th, to participate in a 12-day training programme for company Board Directors has also sparked anger on social media over what is perceived by the suffering masses as very wicked indulgence.
The jumbo package became public after unknown concerned staff of the state bank leaked an internal memo detailing the fat splurge.
Dated Thursday, 23rd May, 2024, the memo which was served to the Alhaji by the bank’s human resource department informed him that he was to attend ‘The Complete Board Directors Programme,’ being organized by South African consulting, research and strategic communications group, Inter Africa Group, for 12 days.
“We advise your participation in the above-referenced programme being organized by Inter Africa Consulting Group in Johannesburg, South Africa from May 27 to June 7, 2024. The DMD, Finance is by a copy of this memorandum expected to pay you the following emoluments in respect of your travel,” the memo intoned. It was signed by Nana Kwabena Yeboah, the Managing Director, DMD Finance and Alexander Yeboah, Manager Compensation and Rewards.
It then proceded to give a breakdown of the gargantuan perdiem as follows: US$12,000 for accommodation at US$1,000 per day for 12 nights.
Additionally, Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu, receives US$18,000 as per diem at US$1,500 per day for his 12-day stay in South Africa, plus an extra US$3,000 at US$1,500 for two days described vaguely as “travelling days.”
All of these payments do not include the cost of air travel and the tuition or training session itself which GCB Bank PLC is paying for.
According to the Inter Africa Group, it “specializes in helping private and public sector organisations measurably improve individual and organizational performance.”
On its website it lists about 55 training programmes that it runs, ‘The Complete Board of Directors’ Programme,’ falling under a special bouquet called ‘ BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ PROGRAMMES.’
Meanwhile, there are reports makin g round that it is not only Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu who is being paid to get the training, and that it’s all of the 12 members of the GCB Bank Board.
Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu, a private banker who has formerly worked with the Bank of Ghana was appointed to the GCB Bank’s 12 member-Board in February 2022 as Non-Executive Member.
If this is the case then it means that the State bank could be blowing over US$396,000, the equivalent of GH¢5, 757,840, on this training programme for its Board.
Other Board members are Kofi Adomakoh, the Managing Director; Dr Stephen Amoah, Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning and NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Nhyiaeso Constituency; and Emmanuel Odartey Lamptey, Deputy Managing Director in charge of Operations.
Also included are, Socrates Afram, Deputy Managing Director in charge of Finance; Nana Ama Ayensua Saara III, Omanhemaa of the Denkyira Traditional Area; Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu, Non-Executive Director; Francis Arthur-Collins, Non-Executive Director; Ray Ankrah, Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD); Osmani Aludiba Ayuba; Lydia Essah; Daniel Kwaku Tweneboah Asirifi of the law firm Akuffo-Addo, Prempeh & Co.; and Samuel Kwame Yedu Aidoo, Executive Director of Wholesale and Investment Banking at GCB Bank PLC.