Prudential Bank Limited has used its third annual supplier conference in Accra to press home a message that procurement is now central to customer service, not merely a back-office function. The gathering brought together vendors, internal teams and other stakeholders as the bank sought to reset expectations around efficiency, sustainability and technology across its supply chain.
The event, held under the theme “Partnering Our Suppliers to Deliver Excellent Customer Serv...
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ice”, focused on practical issues including payment turnaround times, sourcing standards and operational responsiveness. It also gave the bank an opportunity to review performance with suppliers and to set priorities for the year ahead.
Felix Apau Awuku, Prudential Bank’s Executive Head of Operations, told the meeting that suppliers are essential to the institution’s ability to serve customers consistently. He said the bank sees these relationships as strategic partnerships built for the long term, rather than one-off commercial arrangements, and urged vendors to treat the forum as a chance to deepen collaboration.
Mr Awuku also pointed to technology as a key part of the bank’s procurement plans. He said Prudential Bank is examining artificial intelligence tools that could improve demand forecasting and make supply operations more efficient, while internal process changes are being designed to cut delays and improve reliability. He also said the bank wants to strengthen responsible sourcing and adopt more environmentally sustainable practices.
Head of Procurement Carlis Ebow Arko reinforced that message, saying the bank values its supplier network and expects high standards across pricing, quality, timeliness and ethical conduct. He cited research suggesting that businesses which integrate digitally with suppliers can lift performance by 25 per cent, while also cutting costs over time. He also drew a line against unethical practices such as child labour, arguing that sustainability must remain at the centre of procurement decisions.
Trust emerged as a recurring theme throughout the conference. Mr Arko said the relationship depends on shared commitment and accountability, while Mr Awuku told suppliers: “Trust that we will honour our commitments. Trust that we will grow together. Trust that when challenges arise, we will treat them side by side.”
The conference reflects a broader shift in how financial institutions are approaching their supply chains, with greater emphasis on resilience, transparency and digital capability. For Prudential Bank, the aim is to build a supplier ecosystem that supports faster service delivery while remaining ethical, adaptable and ready for change.
Source: Noah Wire Services
