Cal Bank MD hosts Joy FM's Super Morning Show

On an ordinary Monday morning, he will be wearing a beautifully and heavily starched shirt, colourful necktie and a crisp suit sitting behind a mirror polished desk poring over figures and offering investment advice to valuable clients.

But this Monday morning, Cal Bank Managing Director, Frank Adu, sported a checkered short sleeved shirt and a simple black trouser over sneakers and manned the console of Joy FM.

He hosted the Super Morning Show on this 29 day of December 2014 and had fun. He absolutely did. After all, it was topsy-turvy.

Naturally, the topic for discussion was investments and financial mistakes listeners made in 2014 and how to avoid them in 2015.

Unsurprisingly, he blurred the lines between host and panelist and eventually drifted from being a host, joining Iddrisu Mahama Alhassan, Head of EDC Stockbrokers and Mr. Charles Mensah, Managing Partners, Trust Consult to discuss the topic.

Many callers into the show complained about pressures from extended family members and investments into phony micro-finance companies that have squandered their money.

Mr. Iddrisu Mahama Alhassan
Responding to some of the concerns, Mr. Alhassan said helping family members must be done in a restricted and controlled manner.

“Do not give money to family members who come to you as a stop-gap. If they have called everybody and hit a wall and then they come to you, do not give them any money,” he advised.

To young people, Mr. Alhassan said, “Do not live beyond your means.” He said too many people try to live like their schoolmates and work colleagues regardless of whether their earning streams are the same.

“When you are young and strong, secure your future and do not be concerned about living a happy life today,” he stressed.

No matter how much you earn, pay yourself first, that is, make an investment, allocate a specific amount to help family and do not spend beyond that, the stockbroker added.

Host of the show, Mr. Adu stressed the beaten and tired issue of encouraging Ghanaians to adopt a culture of saving.

“I don't carry money in my pocket because if you put money in your pocket you will spend [it]. If you spend you cannot save,” he said.

He regurgitated teachings of renowned preacher, Pastor Mensa Otabil, who said one has a duty take care of his parents only. Help your siblings if can and if your cousins come to you with their financial problems, pray about it, Frank Adu repeated Pastor Otabil's words.

Mr. Charles Mensah
Mr. Charles Mensah said many Ghanaians spend their money the moment they get it, including windfalls, because of the traditional value system where people fall on family members and friends for bailout when they are in strenuous financial difficulties.

He said if people stop giving needless help, many will be more judicious in the management of their finances.

In the end, the banker did a fabulous job hosting the morning show. He crowned a good show with controversial song by highlife musician, Daddy Lumba, 'Yen tie obiaa.'