The Managing Director of Republic Bank Ghana, Farid Antar, officially retired from active service on Thursday, July 14, 2021, after 43 years of service to the bank.
A farewell event was organized on Saturday, July 9, 2022 in his honour by Republic Bank Ghana at Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City.
The event was attended by Mr. Vincent Pereira, the Board Chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Limited, the parent company of Republic Bank Ghana; the President/CEO of Republic Financial Holdings Limited, Mr. Nigel Baptiste; Mr. Derwin Howell, an Executive Director, Republic Bank Limited; Board Members, Executives and Staff of Republic Bank Ghana; Regulators; key customers; other stakeholders, friends and family of Farid Antar.
Many took turns, through video and behind the event lectern, to pour out their experiences and appreciations to Mr. Antar.
The moment of the night was when Mr. Antar mounted the podium to give his farewell speech.
He was full of appreciation to the Board of Directors and staff, friends, family and his wife, for their enormous support in his life.
He said the key life-nuggets that guided him in life and in his career were that: “there is never the right time to do the wrong thing, and, there is never the wrong time to do the right thing! – Lou Holtz.
“Just because others are doing it doesn’t mean it is right way!
“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence! – Author Unknown” and “You do not take anything with you other than your values and integrity!”
“Farid, you have been Phenomenal!” These were the words of Mr. David Addo-Ashong, a Board Member who spoke on behalf of the Board of Directors of Republic Bank Ghana at the event.
Prior to his appointment as Managing Director of Republic Bank Ghana, Mr. Antar was the General Manager/Enterprise Risk Management at Republic Bank Limited and the Chief Risk Officer at Republic Financial Holdings Limited.
He had previously served in several senior management roles as the General Manager/Corporate Operations & Process Improvement, the Senior Manager/Regional Operations (Overseas), the Senior Manager/Business Transformation, Senior Manager/Retail Delivery & Marketing, Manager/Product Parameterisation & Business Growth and Marketing Manager/Personal & Commercial Lendings.
During his tenure as Managing Director, Republic Bank Ghana witnessed significant milestones and growth.
The Bank significantly increased its profitability and shareholder value, enhanced its brand and visibility, improved its digital and core services and offerings, consistently witnessed a high employee engagement.
Republic Bank Ghana won many awards during his tenure, including in the last couple of months alone, two prestigious awards at the International Banker Awards 2022, namely the “Best Innovation in Retail Banking Ghana” and the “Best Private Bank in Ghana”.