Capital Bank manager now Uber driver
A former Area Manager of now-defunct Capital Bank, Edem Adimado, has become an Uber driver to make ends meet following the collapse of the local bank.
According to a Bank of Ghana report, Capital Bank collapsed when the then-chairman of the Board, Pastor Mensa Otabil, okayed the misapplication of a GHS610-million liquidity support given by the central bank.
Instead of using the money to restore Capital Bank, the management, with the approval of the International Central Gospel Church founder, diverted the liquidity support into other things, leading to the eventual collapse of the financial institution in August 2017.
The monies were moved by a member of the Board, Ato Essien into companies believed to be owned by him and others, on the Board.
Some of that money was reportedly presented as capital to secure a licence for another now-defunct bank, Sovereign Bank.
Among the flagged transactions were GHS 27.5 million used for business promotion which was handled by a board member; transfers to IFS amounting to GHS 23.9 million; transfers to Nordea Capital amounting to GHS 65 million; and transfers to Alltime Capital amounting to GHS 130 million.
Speaking on the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) about life after the loss of his job, Mr Adimado said finding a job as a banker again has been difficult, forcing him to venture into the Uber business.
He told sit-in host Benjamin Akakpo that: “I looked at my skills in operational management, I do a lot of policy drafting and implementation, process flow implementation, so, I wanted to put that into good use in terms of trying to assist some companies or microfinance but the difficulty I had with that was the Capital Bank name that was attached to it, so, it did not go far, and, so, that also became a challenge.
“After that I felt I’m experienced, so, I want to be able to get into the industry again. I attend interviews and the first question is: ‘Why couldn’t you do anything to prevent the collapse of the bank (Capital Bank)?’ All the interviews I attended, Capital Bank becomes the focus of the discussion.
“So, after living off my savings for a long time, I realised I need to start doing something for the family because I have rent to pay, fees to pay, so now I drive Uber, I’m an Uber driver.
“It’s not all that [profitable] but it’s a means to an end, at least, I can get something to put food on the table. The sad part is, you have all these skills but it’s now behind the steering wheel. At some point it gets a bit depressing but I must live, I cannot go and stand on the street and beg. I must live so if it’s something I can do, I’ll do it. I also MC weddings on the side so that’s what I do for now, it’s been very difficult.
“Now I’m thinking of how to pay my rent which is due this week, until manner falls from heaven, I pray God touches the heart of my landlord”.
Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com
