GCB Bank PLC (GCB) has appointed Aurelia Baaba Ofori Odame as Executive Head of Afro-Asia Trade and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

The strategic appointment comes at a pivotal time as the Bank accelerates efforts to deepen cross-regional trade, strengthen public sector partnerships, and unlock new growth opportunities across Africa and Asia.

In her new role, Odame will lead the development and execution of GCB’s Afro-Asia trade and SOE engagement strategy across two of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly evolving economic regions.

A statement issued by the Bank in Accra yesterday said: “The position reflects the Bank’s vision to be a bridge between emerging markets, facilitating capital, trade flows, access to markets, and development impact.”

The Africa-Asia trade corridor has grown significantly over the past decade, driven by expanding infrastructure investment, digital transformation, and increasing public-private sector collaboration.

At the same time, SOEs continue to play a vital role in national development, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, health, sustainable energy, transportation, education, and telecommunications. This, the Bank said, presents an opportune moment to support and significantly impact trade flows in both mature and emerging corridors.

“At GCB we acknowledge our position as an indigenous bank passionate about the growth of Ghanaian businesses and the development of the economy,” Managing Director Farihan Alhassan stated.

“Ms Odame’s mandate, therefore, 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 to take advantage of opportunities in Africa and Asia for national growth.”

The Bank emphasised that its strategy of being ‘customer-centric’ and ‘obsessed’ with clients requires a deep understanding of client needs, proactive engagement, and tailored solutions that deliver real value to businesses and sectors.

“With her appointment, the Bank reaffirms its commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable trade growth between Africa and the rest of the world, creating access to market opportunities for businesses, and enabling infrastructure and industrial transformation through funding,” the statement added.

Odame, a seasoned banking executive, brings over 17 years of experience in retail, corporate, and commercial banking, specialising 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, pioneering a transformative franchise that bridged trade between Ghana and China while creating intra-Africa trade corridors.

Under her leadership, the flagship franchise achieved over 100 percent year-on-year balance sheet growth and facilitated export inflows exceeding USD 350 million, making it one of the most profitable and fastest-growing units within the Standard Bank Group.