RCBank MD Crowned African Leadership Council Chair
By George M.O. Wiliams
The Board of the African Leadership Organisation (UK) has appointed the Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr Walton Gilpin as Chair of the African Leadership Council for the Sierra Leone Chapter. The event at the Bank of Sierra Leone Complex on Sunday, September 22, 2024, also coincided with a Thanksgiving Service at the Wesley Methodist Church, a march past, and dinner to climax the bank’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.
A senior representative from the African Leadership Organization, Samuel Elaikwu officially presented the RCBank MD with the insignia of office and a Certificate of Listing as one of the top 40 African Caribbean business leaders for 2024.
The African Leadership Council serves to influence and advance global opportunities for African countries. Dr Gilpin as the new Chair for this divestiture will be leveraging on these opportunities to promote Sierra Leone on the global business stage. Before this, he was recognized by the Pan-African Leadership Magazine as one of the top 25 African Banking Leaders on the continent. He was also, among several high-profile recognitions, awarded the prestigious US Congressional Award from the State of Carolina in 2023.
In his statement, Dr Gilpin described the appointment as a victory for Sierra Leone and encouraged his compatriots to desist from spreading negative narratives about the country which could have a significant impact on its international image.
“This is a clear testament to President Julius Maada Bio’s visionary leadership and the confidence he reposed in me to continue steering RCBank in the right destination…” he said.
He also assured the Bank of Sierra Leone of Rokel Commercial Bank’s preparedness to accommodate the national switch instant payment system that allows banks to utilize a single platform initiated by the Central Bank.