A Level 400 student of Environment and Public Health of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, Eastern Region, Miss Asana Abubakar Daasibi has been honoured by GCB Bank PLC with a cash reward of 10 thousand cedis in recognition of her exemplary honesty after she reported a cash amount of six thousand cedis (GHS 6,000.00) which was mistakenly deposited into her bank account.
A symbolic cheque was presented to her at a meeting held at the Council Chamber of the University between Management of the University, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson in the company of the Registrar, Mrs Mary Abena Agyepong; Deans; Heads of Department; staff; and students and a team from the bank led by the Tema Zone Regional Manager of GCB Bank PLC, Mr. Francis Nyarko.
Sharing her experience, Miss Daasibi recounted that in April this year, she received an unexpected alert indicating that GH¢6,000 had been credited to her account. After waiting 48 hours without any reversal, she visited the Somanya Branch of GCB Bank PLC to report the wrong transaction. The amount was subsequently reversed. She explained that she was not contacted by the Bank after the reversal until a colleague, to whom she had narrated the incident, shared her story on Facebook and called on the Bank to recognise her honesty. The post drew the attention of the Bank, which later contacted her, rewarded her with 10 thousand, and organised the formal presentation at UESD.
Miss Daasibi attributed her decision to return the money to the influence of the University’s core values captured in the acronym HOPE-Honesty, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Enterprising. She expressed gratitude to GCB Bank PLC for recognising her integrity and thanked the Vice-Chancellor and Management of UESD for instilling values that encourage students to act properly. She also encouraged her fellow students to remain truthful and uphold integrity in all aspects of their lives.
Commending Miss Daasibi, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson, described her action as a true reflection of the University’s core values. He noted that UESD is committed to producing graduates who are not only academically competent but also possess strong moral character.”Miss Abubakar has demonstrated that integrity is priceless. Her action exemplifies the value of Honesty, which is at the heart of the University’s HOPE values. We are proud that the principles we continue to nurture in our students are finding expression in their daily lives,” he said.
Professor Nyarko-Sampson recalled a previous incident in which a lost wallet belonging to a member of the University community was returned with all its contents intact, describing both incidents as evidence of the culture of honesty and responsible citizenship being cultivated at UESD. “We are committed to producing graduates who will distinguish themselves through integrity and become responsible leaders in society,” he added.
The Tema Zone Regional Manager of GCB Bank PLC, Mr. Francis Nyarko, disclosed that the Bank’s attention was drawn to the incident through a Facebook post highlighting Miss Daasibi’s honesty. He said, the Bank considered it important to publicly recognise and reward her exemplary conduct at a time when society needs more role models of integrity.
In addition to the cash reward, Mr. Nyarko announced that Miss Abubakar would serve as one of GCB Bank PLC’s ambassadors and would also be offered the opportunity to undertake her mandatory National Service with the Bank.
Other speakers, including Deans, the Head of the Department of Environment and Public Health, and the SRC President, described Miss Daasii as a student whose honesty, humility and sense of responsibility had consistently distinguished her throughout her time at the University.
Following the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor conducted the GCB Bank officials on a tour of the UESD campus.
Also present were; the Dean of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES), Prof. Shine Francis Gbedemah; Dean of Students, Professor Daniella D. Sedegah; Head of the Department of Environment and Public Health, Professor Nuworza Kugbey and some SRC executives, including its, Master Timothy. Yimpuri; as well as staff and friends of Assana.