By Maltiti Sayida Sadick
The Managing Director of GCB Bank PLC, Farihan Alhassan, has been appointed to the Mastercard Africa Leadership Council (MALC), marking a historic milestone as the first Ghanaian to serve on the high-level continental body.
The appointment by Mastercard signals Ghana’s rising influence in Africa’s digital finance space and underscores GCB Bank’s growing role in advancing innovation and financial inclusion across the country.
Farihan Alhassan brings over 20 years of banking experience, spanning retail and commercial banking, credit and risk management, as well as operational leadership. Since taking office as Managing Director in January 2025, he has spearheaded a renewed strategic direction for GCB Bank, with a strong emphasis on digital transformation, SME financing and enhanced customer experience.
Reacting to the honour, Alhassan expressed gratitude, describing the appointment as both a personal achievement and a reflection of Ghana’s evolving financial sector.
“I am deeply honoured by this nomination. It is not only a personal privilege, but a recognition of GCB Bank, our staff, our customers and Ghana’s dynamic financial sector. I look forward to contributing meaningfully to discussions that will shape resilient, secure and inclusive payment systems across Africa,” he said.
The MALC 2026 convening is scheduled to take place in June 2026 at Roland Garros in Paris. The event will bring together top financial leaders from across the continent to deliberate on the future of Africa’s digital payments ecosystem and strategies for building inclusive financial systems.
GCB Bank believes Alhassan’s participation on the council will not only strengthen its global partnerships but also position Ghana as a key voice in shaping the future of digital finance in Africa.
