Building leaders with intent: FirstBank’s talent cohort embrace growth and purpose

In line with FirstBank’s commitment to nurturing future leaders and bridging the gap between academic learning and professional excellence, FirstBank Ghana hosted an engagement session for its current Talent cohort.

The session, which centered on intentional leadership, personal growth, and professional development featured an inspiring interaction with Dr. Esi Ansah, a renowned teacher, certified coach, entrepreneur, and CEO of Axis Human Capital Limited.

The Talent programme at FirstBank Ghana is a strategic initiative aimed at delivering mutual value to both the Bank and young graduates going through a structured pathway for career development, practical industry exposure, and talent cultivation designed to support them to transition smoothly from academia into the workforce. Through this initiative, trainees gain essential professional skills, real-world insights, and access to experienced mentors and networks.

During the session, Dr. Esi Ansah engaged the young graduates in an honest and thought-provoking conversation on intentionality, leadership, and holistic growth. She emphasized the importance of being deliberate in both personal and professional pursuits. According to her, “if the Bank were not intentional, it would not even have this programme. If you were not intentional in whatever you are doing, you would not have been selected so in everything that you do, personally, at home, with your family, or professionally, it is important to be intentional.”

She further underscored the need for professionals to prioritize mental and emotional well-being, encouraging talents to develop healthy outlets such as hobbies, social networks, or mindfulness practices. According to Dr. Ansah, well-being is not just a personal benefit, it is essential for sustaining productivity and building long-term resilience.

A defining moment of the session was her perspective on true leadership. Dr. Ansah challenged the trainees to go beyond self-advancement and focus on uplifting others. She said, “It will not kill you to support other people. The real quality of leadership is making followers and peers become better,” she said, stressing the power of empathy, collaboration, and servant leadership.

Commenting on the significance of the session, Naa Adokailey Amofa, Head of Human Capital Management and Development at FirstBank Ghana, said, “at FirstBank, we believe that growth should be intentional. That is why our Talent Programme is more than a transition, it is a transformation, and we are not only equipping talents with technical skills but also helping them build the mindset, values, and leadership capacity needed to thrive and make a difference.”

This training session is a proof to FirstBank Ghana’s unwavering dedication to building a resilient, empowered, and future-ready workforce. By creating impactful learning experiences and promoting a culture of leadership and excellence, the Bank continues to shape the next generation of changemakers within the organization and the wider community.

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