English.news.cn 2014-03-14 07:31:30
ACCRA, March 13 (Xinhua) — Ghana’s leading bank, the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), intends to sponsor 30 of its customers to witness the World Cup in Brazil later this year, a statement issued here on Thursday said.
It said the 30 beneficiaries would be at the Mundial to support the country’s national team, the Black Stars.
The GCB has therefore launched a three-month promotion dubbed “GCB 30 TO BRAZIL” in collaboration with the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) to enable customers to avail themselves of the opportunity.
The three-month promo, which commenced on Wednesday, ends on May 31, 2014, is tied to topping up and maintaining multiples of 1, 000 Ghana cedis, equivalent of 408.1 U.S. dollars, in one’s account.
“We are offering Ghanaians across the country the opportunity to go to Brazil to support Ghana’s adorable national team, fly the national flag, rally support for the Stars and showcase Ghana as a sound investment destination,” Simon Dornoo, Managing Director of GCB, stated.
He added that GCB was using its extensive and well spread out distribution network of 158 branches to give each and every Ghanaian the opportunity to go to Brazil as an advocate of this nation and to spread the word about its investment opportunities.
The MD expressed GCB’s strong confidence in the national team to perform creditably in Brazil for which reason it decided once again to support Ghana’s participation at the World Cup, where 30 of GCB’s customers are going to enjoy an all-expense paid trip to support them.
“Having participated in almost all African Cup of Nations and qualified three consecutive times for the world cup, the Black Stars are expected by Ghanaians to shine once again and go beyond the quarter final stage,” added Dornoo.
He also commended former national players and stars some of whom attended the launch of the promotion for their efforts and continued support towards the development of soccer in Ghana.
Three draws will be held on April 2, May 2, and June 3, 2014, to select the winning customers who will be informed immediately.
Doris Wunu, head of Consumer Banking Division of the GCB, said all expenses, including air tickets, accommodation, transport and meals, will be borne by GCB. There are consolation prizes to be won too.
The promotion has been designed with the objective of increasing the support base of the national team in Brazil, support the program to showcase Ghana as a brand and enable some customers of the Bank to watch live matches in Brazil.
Ghana Commercial Bank Ltd started in 1953 as the Bank of the Gold Coast to provide banking services to the emerging nation for socio-economic development.
The publicly listed bank had been wholly government-owned until 1996 when the bank went public, leaving government with 21.36 percent shares, with institutional and individual holdings adding up to 78.64 percent.
From the one branch of the 1950s, GCB has now over 150 branches and 11 agencies throughout the country.