Dr Benjamin Dzoboku, Managing Director of Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC, revealed on Joy FM’s Personality Profile that his path to the top of Ghana’s banking sector began in the cattle fields of a village near Battor in the Volta Region.
Growing up in a farming family, Dzoboku spent his mornings leading herds and his evenings returning with the animals. He recalls waking at 5 a.m. during the dry season, walking all day, and learning to observe the herd’s behaviour and respond to individual cows by name. “I use my eyes a lot,” he said. “To look at things, observe.” That habit of keen observation, he added, remains a cornerstone of his leadership style at Republic Bank.
Beyond observation, Dzoboku credits cattle herding for instilling discipline. “If you talk to my staff, I’m very disciplined,” he said. He sees discipline as a national challenge, arguing that Ghana could transform overnight if its people were more disciplined.
His transition to banking was unplanned. After middle school, a family friend encouraged him to attend a newly established secondary school. A bicycle bought by his brother enabled him to travel to school, where an accounting teacher sparked his interest in the subject. He excelled academically, consistently ranking between first and fourth in his class, and set his sights on becoming a chartered accountant.
Dzoboku’s professional journey began at Panick and Foster, then SG-SSB, and later HFC. While auditing at HFC, he uncovered a fraud, catching the attention of the then Managing Director. He was appointed the firm’s first risk manager, where he developed its inaugural risk manual. He later held senior roles in internal audit, finance, treasury, and retail banking before becoming General Manager of Finance and Strategy when Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago acquired HFC.
His move to Trinidad and Tobago marked a pivotal moment, offering exposure to international banking practices. Returning to Ghana, Dzoboku rose through Republic Bank’s ranks to become Managing Director, where he now applies the lessons of observation, discipline and leadership learned on the cattle fields.
Looking ahead, Dzoboku plans to strengthen Republic Bank’s risk management framework and expand its retail banking footprint across Ghana. He remains a vocal advocate for disciplined corporate governance, citing his early experiences as the foundation for his current leadership philosophy.
