Musah Abdallah tells his story from military aspirations to banking leadership

Musah Abdallah’s (MA) ascent to Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana is a story of persistence, discipline and values. Raised in Tamale with a focus on education and hard work, Musah initially aspired to a military career, inspired by figures like Jerry Rawlings.

However, after an encounter with a banker who later became his mentor, he shifted paths, rising through the financial sector with integrity and dedication. We (Q) had a chat with Musah to get to know the man behind the suit and tie.

Q: Congratulations on your appointment as the Head of CIB Stanbic Ghana! If you are to describe yourself as a person to anyone who doesn’t know you, what would you say?

MA: I see myself as a focused, humble and self-disciplined person, eager to learn and embrace new experiences. I generally approach life with a sense of opportunity, as opposed to fear. I’m a family-oriented person who places high premium on friendship.

A team player who prioritises the collective good. At heart, I’m a simple person, committed to personal growth and living with a purpose of positively impacting community in a sustainable manner.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background, where you were born, where you grew up, family, and how growing up was generally like for you?

MA: I was born in Tamale on 7^th January 1977 and lived in the town until 1998, only leaving to attend university. I grew up in a large family with many siblings – 1 of 17 for my father. I was raised not only by my parents but also by the community. My father was a disciplinarian while my mother was industrious.

They instilled in me the values of hard work and perseverance. Education was the key to success, and we were encouraged to strive for the best. My upbringing was filled with love, support and opportunity; and these have been the foundation in shaping who I am today. For these reasons, I make it a priority to give back to my community, staying connected and contributing in meaningful ways.

Q: Did you always want to be a banker or it was something that you picked up later? 

MA: I never intended to be a banker; I actually wanted to be a soldier. Growing up in a strict household, I admired the military, especially the Ghana Army, which has historically been a force for good. I was also inspired by the former President of Ghana, the late Jerry John Rawlings and his hands-on military leadership.

However, after completing my first degree, I was uncertain about my future until I met a successful banker who became my mentor.

His influence, along with my desire for a prosperous career, led me to pursue banking. After an MBA in finance and management at the University of Liverpool in the UK, I started working at Vodafone and then had the opportunity to work with Barclays Bank UK for four years until my relocation to Ghana to join Stanbic Bank in 2008.

Q: You mentioned values such as community-oriented, being the best version of yourself and relationships that have shaped your career. Can we know a bit more about that? 

MA: From a banking perspective, integrity is crucial and has been a foundation throughout my career. I believe I’ve stayed as long as I have been with the bank because its values align with mine. My upbringing taught me the importance of selflessness, and I tried it in my work– whether helping clients or mentoring others.

Growing up in a large family where we had to negotiate and share the few scarce resources, collaboration was a key ingredient for survival. I believe all these helped me to develop skills that are vital to becoming a good banker.

Q: I know people have key personalities who have influenced them in their career journeys. Who is that one person who has shaped your career, and how did the person influence you? 

MA: Naming just one mentor doesn’t quite capture the full picture, as I’ve had many influential figures in my life. My family, especially my father, has been foundational in both my personal and professional growth. However, during a crucial point in my career, Chief Alhassan Andani, our former CE, played a pivotal role.

He guided me when I was uncertain about my career path and gave me the opportunity to join Stanbic when I relocated back home to be part of the Africa rising story. I have since been fortunate to have had great leaders and mentors who have taken me on their wings and flown me to the moon and back. I will be forever grateful for their support.

Q: Let’s talk about the role that you occupy now and how your experiences have shaped your leadership style?

MA: My current role is a culmination of various experiences from the past. After my first degree, I did some service work and had a stint in the US where I learned important lessons about survival and self-reliance. Later, I self-funded my master’s in the UK through menial jobs, driven by a clear purpose.

I began my corporate career at Vodafone in England before joining Barclays Bank, UK where I learnt very valuable lessons, especially the importance of getting things done. I have always believed in Africa and the potential in this continent we call home.

When the sub-prime mortgage crisis hit the western world, I decided it was time to come home. I joined Stanbic Bank as Head of Cash & Liability in 2008 in Global Transactional Banking (GTB). This was the beginning of a Stanbic Bank career that has given me the opportunity to work in various roles and in different countries.

These diverse experiences – across different jobs, teams, cultures and industries – have shaped my approach and leadership style. I hope to become the reason why many young people reach their true potential.

Q: What are your immediate priorities as head of CIB in Ghana? 

MA: My focus as the Head of CIB in Ghana has been on understanding our business, people and clients over the past three months. My key priorities are to:

1. Invest in my team and enhance our capabilities to optimise output,
2. Develop a comprehensive understanding of client needs and address them swiftly and effectively,
3. Ensure compliance and maintain strong connections with regulators to uphold our duty to stakeholders and the country. Doing business the right way is a non-negotiable for me.
4. Collaborate to improve efficiency and effectiveness in our systems and processes. Additionally, it’s crucial for us to articulate our story clearly, while aligning with our purpose of driving growth in Ghana and contributing to its economic development in a tangible and measurable way.

Q: Which books have shaped you as a person and a professional? 

MA: There are five truly transformative books that I have read. They are:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma and Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Additionally, I recommend The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma. This book emphasises the importance of winning the first battle of the day – overcoming sleep. The idea is that starting your day early sets a positive tone. In our household, I motivate my children by challenging them to always win the first battle of the day. This encourages them to wake up early so we can pray, meditate and start our day together.

Another influential book is Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done, which I received from one of my mentors, Kwamina Asomaning, the CE of Stanbic, and found to be phenomenal. It’s a book that the great Barack Obama has referenced positively. I hope sharing these insights is helpful to others who may not have come across these wonderful books.

Q: How do you relax? Are there any hobbies or interests that you are passionate? 

MA: I’m passionate about exploring and travelling with my family and friends. I value spending time with both my immediate and extended family. I also love spending time with experienced people, especially the elderly and pensioners, seeing them as crucial stakeholders in my life.

Another major interest of mine is soccer; I play on weekends whenever I can. I’m a dedicated Liverpool fan – so I never walk alone – and spend my weekends following their games. I also enjoy reading and staying updated on modern technological trends.

Q: How do you balance work and personal life? 

MA: I follow a simple principle: I work hard to enjoy a good life, making a clear distinction between work and personal life, though they are connected. My key to managing this balance is getting enough sleep.

This helps me reset, stay focused and effective. I align my personal values with my work values, so there’s no need for me to switch personas. I love my work and my team, viewing them as an extended family. It is very important to stay resilient by handling work issues without holding grudges.

Q: What is the best advice you ever received?

MA: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received, rooted in my spirituality, is from the Quran, which emphasises seeking God’s help through prayer, perseverance and patience. I highlighted patience because that is something we often lack.

I even considered engraving this advice to remind myself that patience is crucial. It helped me realise that while working hard and praying, I needed to embrace patience and trust that things will unfold in their own time.

Q: What advice would you give to those who want to build a successful career? 

MA: I’ve been guided by valuable advice from mentors and will just share the most relevant to this question. It emphasises the importance of patience and process in career development. Start by dividing your career into three phases:

Firstly, focus on building technical competence and excelling in your field without rushing for rewards. This requires hard work with no shortcuts.

Secondly, develop emotional intelligence to complement your skills. There are books that can help; but stay connected with experienced and wise people.

And finally, get ready to move into leadership roles where you can apply both technical and emotional skills. We must guard against seeking instant success because investing in the process is key to achieving meaningful outcomes that stand the test of time. This approach applies equally to our personal and professional lives.

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