Liberians in the banking or financial sector of the country have been encouraged to seek advanced career development programmes mainly in Chartered Accountant.This is because many Africans nowadays see such credential as the ultimate goal to obtain to be in position of becoming a bank manager or head of a financial institution instead of just been a bank employee.
Mr. John B. S. Davies, President, Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) threw out the challenge to his compatriots when he addressed the graduation exercises of level 2 first training cycles of 2020 of the Banking Institute of Liberia (BIL) Friday, November 27 in Monrovia.
He wants to see many of his countrymen in the sector qualify themselves as chartered accountants because such credential has not only become an ultimate goal but self-mandatory of some fellow Africans in the financial sector.
With prayer to God, Davies strongly believes he want to see more Liberians pursue such status and get themselves qualified which will enable them take charge of the banking sector for the growth and development of their country.
“I feel for my country because we are two Liberians serving as heads of 2 of the 9 commercial banks in the country. Such is not just enough particularly so being a bank worker or employee but strive to be a manager. Nevertheless, I am confident we will get there in spite of the continuous challenges,” he assured.
He told the 65 participants who completed the 6 weeks refresher programmes and were awarded certificates in various segments not to take such career development training for a joke.
Davies continued: “It is the knowledge that makes the world around but God first. Therefore, take these exercises seriously because they put you on track in seeking for advanced career development programme.”
He then assured the Institute of the Board of Directors’ full support so as not to fail in all its undertakings including the training and development of young talented ones, particularly who are willingly and ready to learn.
In his report, Richard Saywah Panton, Director General of the Institute recounted the numerous milestone achievements in the history of BIL when they certificated the third batch of candidates for its 2019-2020 training cycle.
He said the level II courses are upgraded version of level I entry course intended to upscale the professional, administrative and managerial competency of staffers in the banking and financial sector.
Panton said candidates were awarded short term certificate-related competency based courses in Systems and Controls, Banking Operations, Regulatory Framework and Compliance, Credit Analysis, Internal Audit and financial Reporting and Analysis.
Of the 65 participants, 20 are females constituting 31 percent while 45 are males constituting 69 percent. Eleven (11) banking institutions namely Access Bank 12, Afriland Bank 1, Central Bank of Liberia 11, Ecobank 1, Global Bank 2, Guaranty Trust Bank 11, International Bank 7, Liberian Bank for Development and Investment 10, SIBL 5, and United Bank for Africa 5 nominated participants.
The above mentioned number brings to total 277 participants nominated from the Central Bank of Liberia and the Liberia Bank Association (LBA’s) member institutions and that of Diaconia Microfinance Deposit-taking Institute.
About human capital development, Director Panton advanced further that it is essential for national growth and development in any society.
“When there is highly skilled and trained manpower, the challenges facing the society can easily be overcome. Trained and skilled staffs have the capacity to unravel complex problems in the environment,” he noted.
Additionally, Panton continued: “Trained and skilled staff become more innovative in finding solutions to organizational problem as they possess the capabilities to translate corporate policies into achievable action steps as well as deliver services with effectiveness and efficiency to the satisfaction of the clients and other stakeholder.”