Second-hand clothes dealer wins CAL Bank promo house

Samuel K. Obour Nov - 02 - 2013 , 05:30

On September 17, 2013, Ms Elizabeth Owusu-Sekyere, a second-hand clothes dealer in Kumasi, was in her shop brooding over slow sales that characterised the mid-morning when she received a call from an unknown number.

Initially she was apprehensive to respond to the enquiries the fellow at the other end of the line was making: trying to establish her real identity.

At a point, Ms Owusu-Sekyere was getting irritated until the caller, realising that he had to go straight to the point, broke the news to her that she had won the CAL Bank Deposit and Win promo. The caller added that she was going to be the proud recipient of a two-bedroom expandable house at Devtraco Properties worth $75,000.

This information, according to Ms Owusu-Sekyere, sounded ‘too sweet to be true’ and thought her ears were misleading her by not transmitting the right information.

She, accordingly asked the caller to hold on and she handed over her phone to a friend to speak with the caller.

It was after the person who called on behalf of CAL Bank had explicitly explained to the person who spoke on behalf of Ms Owusu-Sekyere that elicited some widespread sensation in front of the Agombia Enterprise shop, owned by Ms Owusu-Sekyere.

Her colleague traders, as well as onlookers, were flabbergasted and could not hazard a guess as to what might have stimulated the sensation.

Instinctively, they drew closer to the shop to satisfy their curiosity.

When they were told of the pleasant news, they also joined in the celebration which later spread across the length and breadth of the Ash Town Market, opposite ‘Dr Mensah’ in Kumasi.

Finally, after going through all the formalities, the two bedroom expandable house was presented to Ms Owusu-Sekyere at a colourful ceremony in Accra on October 2, 2013.

According to Ms Owusu-Sekyere, 46, “ I was so overwhelmed by the windfall after the keys to the house were handed over to me, I decided to pass the night in my new house with my husband after we had spread some bedspread on the tiled floor to consummate the sweet reward.”

In a chat with The Mirror, Ms Owusu-Sekyere said she became an accounts holder at the Kejetia branch of the CAL Bank after numerous persuasions from the branch manager, Mr Emmanuel Abeiku Mayne-Eghan.

“ Initially I was not keen in opening an account with Cal Bank because I already had a bank account with another bank but the manager and one of his clerks, Mr Agyarko Kusi Snr., now with the Ahodwo branch of the bank never gave up on me. They kept convincing me to open an account with CAL Bank and that I would never regret.”

She said she later gave in to the pressure from the two bank officials and opened an account which she had kept very active over the last two years.

Ms Owusu-Sekyere took advantage of the promo that was introduced in June this year to reward existing customers, as well as the new ones, and became part of the customers who were entered in the draw.

About the CAL Bank promo

For a customer to be part of the promotion, customers were to deposit multiples of GH¢300 and maintain a balance of GH¢1500 for 30 days.

Each deposit attracted an electronic ticket. The promotion was to increase the bank’s deposit base by 30 per cent.

Since the start of the promotion in July 2013, CAL Bank had received over 41,000 entries and accumulated GH¢88 million.

According to the management of the bank, the said amount would help the bank to support its retail business and small and medium enterprises (SME) of the economy.

CAL Bank believes that one of the biggest investments an individual makes in his or her life's journey is to own a house.

It also believes its customers deserve opportunities that are relevant to their everyday needs and the prizes provided such solutions.

The bank intends to expand the retail space and increase its branch networks to 30, with over 100 Automated Teller Machine (ATMs) installations.

The National Lottery Authority (NLA), the institution responsible for the regulation, supervision and conduct of lotteries in the country, supervised the two mini draws held in Kejetia, Kumasi and at the Market Circle in Takoradi with the grand draw taking place in Tema.

Apart from the two-bedroom prize, 49 other customers also won consolation prizes that comprised airline ticket for two to South Africa, Samsung LED television sets, Blackberry Z10, Samsung Galaxy S4, charcoal barbecue, household appliances and CAL Bank branded souvenirs.

About Ms Owusu-Sekyere

A native of Asante Mampong, Ms Owusu Sekyere, was born on August 15, 1968, at Fante New Town in Kumasi. She attended the St Cyprian Anglican School in Fante New Town, Kumasi.

She was introduced to the second-hand importing directly from the suppliers.

She had been in this business over the last 20 years and she now runs a joint business with her husband, Mr George Appiah.

The couple are blessed with two children. Ms Owusu-Sekyere is a God-fearing woman and worships at the Prophetic Faith International Church at Ahensan, Kumasi.

She is a football enthusiast and supports Kumasi Asante Kotoko F/C.

Gratitude

Ms Owusu-Sekyere is full of gratitude to the Managing Director of the CAL Bank, Mr Frank Adu Jnr, and his management team, as well as the hardworking staff of the bank, because the promo had contributed in transforming her life significantly.

Hear her: ‘I now have a house in Accra and each time I am in Accra I just go to my house, open the doors, sleep, transact my business and return to Kumasi when I am done’.

She said she visited Accra twice a week, but she hoped her business trips to Accra this time would be in quick succession.

By Vance Azu/The Mirror/Ghana