Kwasi Owusu-Boakye

Title: Achieving My ECBA Certification: A Business Analyst’s Journey

📅 Date: 30th March 2025

✍️ Body Content:

Earning the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA®) was a key milestone in my career and a powerful step toward aligning my professional journey with international standards in business analysis.

After over a decade of experience in banking, relationship management, and business development, I realized that formalizing my analytical skillset was essential. I wanted a credential that not only validated my hands-on experience but also demonstrated my commitment to structured, best-practice methodologies. That’s where the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) came in.

The ECBA provided me with a solid foundation in:

• Business analysis planning and monitoring

• Elicitation and collaboration

• Requirements life cycle management

• Strategy analysis

• Underlying competencies and techniques critical for success

Through this journey, I deepened my understanding of stakeholder alignment, requirements gathering, and process optimization—skills I continue to use daily in roles like my current Business Analyst position at Newave Investment Ltd.

This certification complements my academic background in analytics and mathematics and supports my transition into more advanced business analysis and digital transformation roles.

For professionals considering ECBA, I highly recommend it—not just as a certification, but as a confidence builder and a framework to structure your thinking in any business environment.

✅ Title: Leading Through Change: Lessons from the Banking Sector

📅 Date:30th March 2025

✍️ Body Content:

Leadership in the banking sector has evolved dramatically over the past decade. From managing financial portfolios to navigating digital disruption, today’s banking leaders must balance operational efficiency, customer experience, compliance, and technology adoption — all while steering their teams with vision and agility.

During my tenure as Branch Manager at Consolidated Bank Ghana and GN Bank, I witnessed firsthand how impactful leadership can shape performance, culture, and client trust.

Here are a few leadership lessons I’ve learned and lived:

1. People First, Always

In banking, trust is currency. Leading a branch means investing in both customers and staff. I prioritized mentorship, consistent communication, and performance coaching — which consistently led to higher morale and better service delivery.

2. Operational Excellence is a Moving Target

Banking operations are complex, and no two days are alike. From compliance challenges to risk management, I developed systems that improved daily branch operations, enhanced loan portfolio quality, and increased profitability — including growing a portfolio from CAD $10,000 to over $1M.

3. Data-Driven Decisions Make the Difference

Leadership isn’t just about intuition — it’s about insight. Whether managing trade products or evaluating credit risk, I leveraged financial data to make better, faster, and more strategic decisions.

4. Adaptability is the Real Competitive Advantage

The financial landscape is shifting — fintech, mobile banking, and regulatory changes are constant. I led teams through transitions in service models and system upgrades, always focusing on client continuity and team readiness.

5. Results Follow Culture

A results-driven culture is built, not demanded. By fostering transparency, celebrating small wins, and aligning team goals with customer outcomes, I created environments where performance naturally followed.

Banking leadership is no longer about gatekeeping financial services — it’s about enabling progress, building resilient teams, and continuously innovating. I’m proud to be part of this evolving story.

✅ Title: Scaling Trade Relationships at the Israel Economic Mission

📅 Date: 31st July 2023

✍️ Body Content:

In my role as Business Development Manager at the Israel Trade and Economic Mission in Accra, I had the opportunity to work at the intersection of international trade, diplomacy, and strategic partnerships.

This role was more than just promoting products — it was about building bridges between Israeli innovation and Ghanaian opportunity.

My core responsibility was to identify, initiate, and scale business relationships between Israeli companies and local industries in Ghana. From agri-tech to clean energy, I facilitated collaborations that aligned with both nations’ economic priorities and development goals.

Key accomplishments included:

• Organizing business matchmaking sessions and trade delegations

• Establishing pipelines for continued B2B engagement

• Supporting market entry strategies for Israeli firms

• Advising Ghanaian partners on tech transfer and investment opportunities

By the end of my tenure, several companies had successfully entered the Ghanaian market, and new bilateral relationships had been formed. The role also gave me valuable insight into international trade ecosystems, policy frameworks, and cross-cultural business alignment.

This experience built on my background in financial services and analysis, helping me better understand how market data, stakeholder interests, and long-term economic vision come together to create sustainable trade growth.