Dr. Kotei Dzani said Africa is alarmingly behind in development compared to the west, due to the failure of African leaders to prioritize developments that will impact its citizens and help push their countries country forward.

[contextly_sidebar id=”72mmLwdkLiPCSeMZmcL3fkmy8eTJoKlO”]He was speaking at this year’s Chartered Institute of Marking Ghana [CIMG], Presidential Ball, where was honoured as a fellow member of the group.

He stressed that “Our governments keep on failing us. Today I had the opportunity to speak at AUCC and I said African leaders are not thinkers,” Dr. Kotei Dzani said while addressing an audience at this year’s Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Presidential Ball.

“Africa is behind with the new economic growth across the globe. And some of us are concerned about what we will do in order to move our continent from poverty. Our governments keep on failing us.”

“I get thousands of calls asking why I say African leaders are not thinkers, but I did not say all African leaders are not thinkers. I said African leaders are not thinkers because majority of African Leaders are not thinkers,” he added.

Dr. Kotei Dzani explained that, most African leaders are selfish and syphon state funds for personal gains. He also took a swipe at African leaders who hold on to power till they are forced out saying that they are examples of authorities in governance who don’t think about their nation’s growth.

“If African leaders are thinkers they will not steal our money and go and put it in Swiss accounts. And if African leaders are thinkers, they will not be in power until we use guns to remove them and in the process destroy state assets.”

“You look at our continent and the kind of resources we have as a continent we should not be experiencing this level of poverty but what do we do, what do we see? African leaders unfortunately take decisions that will make them win an election rather than improve the lives of the people, and then those who find themselves in the minority also oppose decisions of governments that will make the government win an election.”

“So ask yourselves that; are these people honest with us across the continent? It saddens me. We need to know where we are moving to and what we want to achieve, rather than everybody coming and deciding what they want to do. We cannot develop like that. Somebody has started a road and the person is not in power and then somebody comes and says I am not interested in that road,” he added.

Groupe Ideal CEO Dr.Dzani wins banking & finance entrepreneur award

Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani was in April 2016 voted the Banking & Finance Entrepreneur for the year 2015, at the sixth Ghana Entrepreneur Awards held at the Banquet Hall State.

Organized by Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the award was in recognition of his visionary leadership, entrepreneurship acumen as well as his immense contributions to the Banking and Finance industry.

The Ghana Entrepreneur Awards is held annually to recognize and honour Ghanaians and Non-Ghanaians Entrepreneurs that have achieved strategic and sustained positive impact on the economy, community and society as a whole.

Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani’s profile

Dr. Dzani is an entrepreneur and businessman par excellence, with extensive business experience as an economist and business owner with a proven record of successful entrepreneurship with the establishment of over 8 companies within five years.

His desire is to transform Groupe Ideal into a world class conglomerate. The former Barclays Bank and Canal Capital Executive was also voted Emerging Man of the year 2014 by Accra based VIASAT1 Television.

Dr. Dzani has a rich and enviable experience in strategic innovation, business strategy and marketing; branding and human resource management coupled with his in-depth expertise in SME advisory service, asset management, development and financing of projects.

In addition, he has carried out extensive research on microfinance and commercial banking.

Dr. Dzani is an accomplished individual, a motivated self-starter and excellent negotiator with the credibility to engage and influence business at all levels.

Educational background

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and an Honorary Doctorate from Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma, USA.

He also holds an MBA in Corporate Governance & Finance from University of Hull, United Kingdom. He is currently undertaking a professional law degree.

Business achievements

In 2009, he established a consultancy firm to advice banks and other financial institutions on financial models and risk management.

Ideal Finance was subsequently established in 2010 offering money lending services and has grown to become a credible finance house.

Under his able leadership, Ideal Financial Holdings acquired a majority share ownership of Ezi Savings and loans in 2014 which saw it rebranded to FirsTrust Savings and loans, saving the jobs of over 200 Ghanaians, and also enhancing confidence in the financial sector.

Dr. Dzani through his foundation, Tsatse Foundation, has undertaken many social interventions and Corporate Social Responsibility activities including Educational scholarships for needy and brilliant students, support for Otumfuo Educational Foundation, support for strategic state institutions like Ghana Police Service, 37 Military hospital, sponsorship of corporate events and many more. The foundation regularly supports various orphanage homes across the country.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Personality’’ at the Ghana Peace Awards. Groupe Ideal also won the Corporate Organization for Peace at the same event.

The Ghana Peace Awards is a private initiative aimed at giving recognition to individuals and entities who amongst others have or are advocating peace. It is to honor, celebrate, recognize, appreciate and inspire individuals and institutions who have contributed their quota to maintain peace in the country.

In the run- up to 2016 elections, Dr.Nii Kotei Dzani was part of group of high profile Ghanaians who pledged their commitment to peace before, during and after the elections by signing and endorsing the Ghana + Peace campaign’s symbolic calabash.

This was against the framework that businesses can only thrive in a peaceful environment, therefore the need for peace cannot be underrated.

Dr. Kotei Dzani is also known for his great works in philanthropy, the acquisition of businesses and contribution to society in diverse ways.

The President of Groupe Ideal, a company with over 13 subsidiaries, was chosen for his outstanding contribution to the growth of business in Ghana.

According to the scheme, he has demonstrated leadership in championing and inspiring individual business leaders and businesses to work together with society, to the mutual benefit of both.

‘’His contagious leadership ability sees and appreciates talents. This ignite confidence in others and brings team-members together which has innovative actions. Thus, we acknowledge your impact of responsible business practices in advancing the values of developments and job creation in Ghana, Africa and the world at large. The organizer s said.’’

Speaking on the award, the Managing Director for Ideal Finance Limited ,Mr. Alex Dodoo who picked the award on his behalf said, ‘’this award comes as no surprise at all. Dr. Kotei Dzani is compassionate. Having built a conglomerate like Groupe Ideal with over 13 subsidiaries, which employs over 800 people, directly helps reduce unemployment rate in the country is indeed laudable.

Upon receiving the award, Dr Nii Kotei Dzani said, I am humbled. ‘’I owe it all to my hardworking institutional heads who through their diverse experiences make the dream happen.’

This adds to the many awards he has won since he started building his business empire in 2009. Dr. Kotei Dzani has been honored by a number of institutions both locally and internationally for his continues contribution towards nation building.

The maiden edition of the Ghana Peace Awards was in October, 2016.

This years’ was themed’ ‘’A PEACEFUL GHANA; ONE PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER’’

“The night awarded those who have given exemplary contributions to peace and progress that have tirelessly made a visible and tangible difference which has touched the hearts of many both nationally and on the world stage.

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Credit: Groupe Ideal

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The visit forms part of Groupe Ideal customer service week celebration dubbed’’ BUILDING TRUST, A BETTER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FOR ALL’’. This was geared towards putting a smile on the faces of customers and equipping internal customers with the requisite skills to meet customer requirements and to subsequently track progress on service delivery improvements.

During the external visit, the team interacted with customers on their needs and also gathered some feedback to help in delivering customized solutions to the customers to meet their unique needs.

Speaking on the theme, The President of Groupe Ideal Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani who led the delegation for the visit said, ‘’Customers are the backbone of every growing business. Without them, we will not exist. You are the reason for our continuous innovations and initiatives.’’

He noted that ‘’It is evident that people deserve a better and more deepened relationship with organizations they invest in. This takes a lot of hard work. We appreciate your trust in us. Our value proposition has always been to provide solutions and deliver them on time.

As we celebrate customer service week, we want to let you know that you are a part of our success story.

Your needs are our topmost priority. In the quest to cheering you, we want to say you are the best. We are thankful for you and will continue working to honor the trust you place in us.

The Head of Customer Excellence Ethel Darko added that “We acknowledge the changing needs of the customer in these recent times; understanding that consumer experience starts and ends with each of us”.

Your feedback is our way forward, we are here to deliver excellent service ’’ she ended.

The visit is expected to help the organization build trust with it’s customers and also attract prospects to enhance business growth and profitability.

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Source: Groupe Ideal

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He made this remark in an interview to address development in the sector key among them being the emergence of mobile money.

Mr Arkuh disclosed that the advent of the mobile money program is a good venture.

“It is critical thinking that led to this creativity. He therefore challenged the industry to come up with products to enable them take advantage of the development to further boost business in the years to come.

He again advised financial institutions to partner or collaborate with players in the telecommunications sector to maximize the potential of the use of technology.

Touching on the issue of non-performing loans in the financial service sector, Mr Arkuh noted that it is an area of great concern to all financial institutions. He cited instances where prospective borrowers attempted to outwit the system with the use of fake documents.

He urged banks and other industry players to strengthen their risk management practices so as to minimize the risk of default.

‘’There should always be the issue of trust in both ways for the clients and the institution. “Customers must check the basic regulators requirement before investing with a financial institutions firm to avoid the recurrence of the DKM scandal .Again, financial institutions should do checks thoroughly before giving out loans,” he acknowledged.

On the way forward for the industry, he advised clients who intend to invest with financial institutions to do a little background check to assure themselves that they are dealing with a credible institution. This will go a long way to avoid another ‘DKM’ scandal happening.

He cautioned Ghanaians to spend wisely and remember always to save and invest with one of Ideal Financial Holdings subsidiaries like Ideal Finance Limited, the CIMG emerging brand of the year 2015, FirsTrust savings and Loans, and Ideal Capital Partners Limited an investment and assets management firm with the best of investment products and services for the average Ghanaian.

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Credit: Groupe Ideal

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The service witnessed Christmas carols from the Winneba Youth Choir as well as the Harmonic and Ideal choir of TV Africa and Groupe Ideal respectively.

In his key note address, President of Groupe Ideal, Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani envisioned the coming year as being more customer focused.

On his part, the success chalked by the business group in the year was as a result of its interactions and transactions with customers.

“We are going to be more customer focused in the coming year because we exist because of the customers,” he noted.

Let’s be patient with incoming gov’t
Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani also urged Ghanaians to be patient with the incoming New Patriotic Party government as it puts efforts in place to take over the administration of the country on January 7, 2017.

“I know we have high expectations – ‘one village, one dam’. And as a fisherman’s son ‘one sea, one fisherman.’ All Ghanaians should exercise patience. After six months we will know what the new government has,” he added.

The carol service was graced by a number dignitaries including the Major General Kojo Adeti, Prince Kofi Amoabeng (President, UT Group), and Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh among others.

Subsidiaries under Groupe Ideal include Ideal Finance, FirsTrust savings and loans, and the newly rebranded TV Africa.

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By: Kumi Obed Afari/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Ben Adu Owusu sealed this year’s championship on count back after returning a net score of 66 to edge Bishop Steve Asare.

Playing with a handicap of 19, Owusu scored 85 gross to finish ahead of a field of 40 golfers including the President of Ghana Golf Association; Mike Aggrey placed 15th and the captain of the Achimota golf club, Frank Adu junior28th place.

In the ladies contest, Cynthia Nyamekye   playing with a handicap of 13 finished top of a group of 21women after netting a score of 69. She beat Beatrice Vetsche 70 net and charismatic Leticia Amponsah Mensah who finished in second and third respectively to the coveted title.

Groupe Ideal’s association with this year’s President’s Putter golf club has provided the platform for many golfers in the country and the sub-region to improve on their handicaps, according to the Director for Corporate Affairs, Ekow Blankson.

At Ideal, we value relationship; we believe building and sustaining relationships with our customers is essential to the success of our business,’ said Ekow Blankson.

‘For years we have supported various sporting activities such as our partnership with the Achimota Golf Club and celebrity Golf to bring new and exciting experiences to our corporate clients and high value clients he added.

George Amoah, the competition secretary to the Achimota golf club reiterated that Groupe Ideal’s support has contributed immensely to the success of the tournament.

Nana Attah Nyamekye is the 10^th president of the Achimota Golf and a board member of Ideal Finance Limited.

Other trophies were also handed out to the best male and female putter Eric Sowah and Catherine Fabbi while Michael Afreh and Leticia emerged winners of the longest drive contest.

The guest of honor for the occasion, Okyehene Amoatia Ofori Panin 11, in his address advocated for more young people to take up because it builds integrity.

The Achimota golf Club was established some 30 years ago with a 5-hole golf course purposely for staff of Achimota School. Over time it was extended to 9-holes and eventually 18-holes .the golf course is primarily meant for private health and leisure.

The event was opened to amateur and professional golfers throughout the country and proudly sponsored by Ideal finance, a subsidiary of Groupe Ideal.

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Source: Groupe Ideal

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Speaking on the topic, “Reinvigorating your sales force” in day two of Citi FM’s annual Management Development Month series he called for sales teams to be enabled with modern day tools.

According to Maxwell Dodd, critical information on clients and new selling prospecting modules must be made available to the sales team to be successful.

Listen to the full audio below:

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