body-container-line-1
25.09.2014 Press Statement

Celebrating 38th Republic Day Anniversary Of Trinidad And Tobago

Remarks Delivered By: Derwin Howell • Executive Director Of Republic Bank 24th September, 2014 @ Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra
Celebrating 38th Republic Day Anniversary Of Trinidad And Tobago
25.09.2014 LISTEN

All Protocols Observed…

Good Evening ladies and gentlemen. It is my honour to bring remarks to you today on behalf of Republic Bank Limited, on the occasion of the 38th Anniversary of the Republic Day observances of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Let me take this opportunity to also join with all Ghanaians in recognition of Ghana's Founder's day which was celebrated earlier this week.

Trinidad and Tobago is a Middle Income Nation and has vibrant operations in oil and gas, manufacturing and tourism. The economy is a regional powerhouse in the Caribbean. Furthermore, the Banking sector of Trinidad and Tobago dominates the markets in the Commonwealth Caribbean. Of the top ten companies in the Caribbean ranked according to Economic Profit per dollar of invested capital the two banks that feature on that list are based in Trinidad and Tobago and yes one of those is Republic Bank. It is this tradition of excellence in financial performance that we bring to our Ghanaian investment in HFC Bank.

Our focus as a Bank has always been on being the financial institution of choice for our staff, shareholders, and customers.

• We have worked toward achieving this by setting the standard of excellence in customer satisfaction; employee engagement; social responsibility and shareholder value while contributing to the building of successful societies.

• Having been around for 177 years, however, we know that remembering our history is also key to achieving our goals. We cannot truly understand where we are going unless we remember from where we came.

• Making a positive difference has been Republic Bank's social responsibility focus for decades. We have spent our days, not just ensuring that everyone's financial needs are met, but also on a different level, making sure that our society's pressing and social needs are attended to. Therefore, as a good Corporate Citizen Republic Bank partners with the people, programmes and places that exist to provide for the most vulnerable of us.

This year will mark the second year of Republic Bank's presence in Ghana. As we continue to bring the markets and people of the Caribbean and Africa together. For us, having a presence here in Ghana, is more of a return to our origins than a step into new plains. Our ties are not as newly formed as many may think; our history with Ghana dates back centuries. During the decades of the struggle for independence there were close ties developed, for instance, between Ghana's Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (who was celebrated with Founder's Day on Monday) and George Padmore, a Trinidad and Tobago national after whom the Padmore Memorial Library is named.

Both men were in the forefront of the struggle for independence in Africa and the Carribean and we continue to honour their memory. Another Trinidad and Tobago national, CLR James, had a major role in the publication of anti-colonial literature in the 1930s and was an editor for the “International African Opinion”, a publication of the International African Services Bureau, which was chaired by George Padmore.

You may find it interesting to know that the Speaker's Chair that is used today in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, was presented by Dr. Nkrumah when Trinidad and Tobago attained independence on August 31st, 1962.

We all know the significance of names, and in Trinidad and Tobago many African descendants maintained Ghanaian names such as Quarshie, Cudjoe and Qwamina to name a few.

Also, that famous trickster Kweku Ananse made his way to the Caribbean where stories of him are told to this very day in every home in Trinidad and Tobago and are known as “Nancy stories”.

Similarly, the “Susu” is practiced in both Trinidad and Tobago and Ghana, and is believed to have started as a scheme by freed slaves, hoping to make enough money to go back to Africa.

The drum was used as a form of communication and resistance among Africans during slavery; and Steel Pan – the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago evolved out of the African drum as a cultural response to the conditions in Trinidad and Tobago at the time.

We see our similarities as not only reminders of the great things that can come from collaboration between nations toward common goals; we see them as an opportunity to revisit and leverage the strength of our common heritage, toward a successful future.

In celebrating 38 years as Republic, today, we remember those who played major roles in the development of our history and on our success as a Republic.

• These are the people whose influences have added to our beautifully diverse culture.

• Every Ghanaian term, every Ghanaian practice that we mirror locally – they are part of who we are as a Republic. They are what make us unique.

Republic Bank is dedicated to making a difference in all the markets we serve and as our slogan goes with our stakeholders in Ghana, Together we can make the difference.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you.

body-container-line