As Ghanaian professionals who have returned home, one of the major constraints is our ability to get housing mortgages given the relatively high prices for real estate in Ghana, and even higher interest rates. This was one of the first discussions at the birth of Ahaspora in 2011 – as part of aspirations towards the existence of the organization. As such, it was a real treat when this dream became a reality on May 31, 2018 at the GHL Bank rooftop.
Over cocktails, great conversations, and good music, Ahaspora came into a partnership with GHL Bank to acquire discounts for the Ahaspora and Diaspora community for career advancement, housing, and the fulfillment of life-long aspirations with the range of services it can offer them. During the event, the GHL Bank team explained how GHL Bank is unique given that they are a “One-Stop-Bank” – from personal to business financial management to mortgage and savings, all in one place!
In an interview with Mr. Kojo Addo Kufuor, the Executive Director-Business who led the GHL Bank team, he stated that this is part of the many partnerships and opportunities the bank seeks to create to enable resident and non-resident Ghanaians reap benefits from their hard work and investments. “Usually, people who work and earn in other places or have investments at home fear that their funds may be misappropriated. Among other difficulties are the high freight and cargo transport costs, home ownership and the security of their investments and valuables. We are allaying these worries under this partnership with various special product offerings to meet these challenges” Kufuor assured.
Detailing this partnership, Mr. Kwamena Budu, the Head of Corporate Communications and Brand Management at GHL Bank said, that the bank has opened online networks that will among other things enable the Ahaspora network conduct transactions both locally and from abroad. “We are presenting to the network, how the bank can safely and cost efficiently facilitate the transfer of their funds and manage their accounts. Members who have expressed interest in building or buying houses back home can rely on GHL Bank to provide the support with the various mortgage products and other services to minimize the burden the process comes with.”
In acknowledging the agreement on behalf of Ahaspora, Christabel Dadzie, Founder and Chair, thanked GHL Bank for this wide platform. She reiterated that “The diaspora can contribute a great deal to the country if given the required support and structures. GHL Bank has done what successful businesses do to enhance the growth of its people and will make the most out of this opportunity”. Ahaspora is excited to enter this partnership because it fits right into our goal of supporting the diaspora and the returnee experience. This opportunity provides us a streamlined one-stop-shop for all things banking, housing, among others, which is very productive for the busy dynamic lives Ahasporans lead. We plan to create a success story that other similar institutions can emulate.
Ahasporan Andrew Akoto had this to say “As an Ahasporan, GHL represents a real path to homeownership for me. Their process is straightforward and expectations are clarified early on in the process. I’m looking forward to closing my mortgage deal the this month.”
For more information contact: www.ghlbank.com or email info@ghlbank.com.
Written by Christabel Dadzie
