The briefing which is a precursor to GCB's Round Table Discussion on the possibility of creating a cashless society in Ghana, slated for Monday, April at the Accra International Conference Centre was attended by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr Kojo Addae-Mensah, Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Mr John Awuah and Heads of Consumer Banking and Corporate Banking Divisions, Mr George Fuachie and Mrs Doris Wunu respectively was chaired by Mr Samuel Sarpong, Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee and Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) of the Bank.
The briefing dwelt extensively on activities lined up for the anniversary celebrations with interjections from the media about the 2012 performance of the Bank.
The MD said the Bank as a major player in the financial industry deemed it necessary to set the pace for the creation of a cashless regime in Ghana hence the decision to organise a round table discussion on the subject.
He said cashless society has enormous benefits for the country and these includeincreased efficiency in making payments, a cashless economy would allow for better information on payment transactions for policy making and would help attract more people into the formal banking sector.
Mr Dornoo said GCB was holding the forum to begin discussions that would lead to the change in the face of banking in the country, adding that, electronic banking was the way to go.
He said Ghana must change from the situation where 80% of transactions are done in-branch to a situation where 80% of transactions are done through e-banking because that will have direct impact on Ghana's economy and productivity.
The theme for the Round Table Discussion is"Achieving A Cashless Society: The Role Of Banks, Government and the Customer".
Briefing the journalists on the outline for the celebrations Mr Sarpong explained that the round table would feature experts in banking, telecommunications, economics and regulators, among others.
He said under the community support programme, the Bank will undertake a Tree For Life project, under which staff would plant tree seedlings in basic schools as a way of protecting the environment.
Mr Sarpong said on the anniversary day itself, there will be a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Bank's branches across the country and that the day will be used to institute a Customer Appreciation Day to be observed annually.
The Bank has also identified water and sanitation for special support during the anniversary.
The beneficiaries include Accra and Pantang Psychiatric Hospitals, Hanukkah Children's Home, Royal Seed Orphanage and Baptist Orphanage.
In this direction, the Bank would sink seven bore-holes fitted with pumps and purifiers and two toilet facilities at the cost of GHC300,000 to identified orphanages and hospitals.