By Samuel Akumatey
Ho, Feb. 02, GNA – The Republic Bank PLC has extended its services to the Volta Region with the opening of first branch in Ho to bustle with Small Medium Enterprises.
Located at the Ho Central Market, the opening had the Executive Committee of the Bank, heads of subsidiary companies, as well as executives from the Bank of Ghana in attendance.
Mr Benjamin Dzoboku, Managing Director of the Bank described it as a “remarkable day” sharing the growth of the universal banking institution which began in the country as mortgage company HFC, the Managing Director assured the Region and its business community of a lasting partnership.
Republic Bank has subsidiaries such as Boafo Service Limited, called to support the informal sector, and Mr. Dzoboku was sure of its impact on SMEs in the Region.
“This company is actually for the informal sector to help the micro finance people especially our women in the market, so we are in the right place,” he said while reiterating the Bank’s obligation to the private sector, assuring that SMEs would access the wealth of products and services innovated for real time growth impact.
Mr. Dzoboku stated that as a leader in banking innovation, customer service retained high standards, and thus carefully selected staff and a conducive banking environment marked its branches nationwide.
“We believe banking is more than the business transactions that we see, therefore we carefully selected our staff that will be working here with you.”
He noted that being a multinational bank, the company had signed on to the Sustainable Development Goals with focus on sanitation and water, quality education, good health, and climate action, supporting communities through corporate social responsibility programmes.
The Managing Director said the Ho branch created several jobs for indigenes and hoped to expand into other areas in the Region soon.

Republic Bank was formed in 2015 after HFC was taken over by the Republic Financial Holdings Ltd of Trinidad of Tobago; a 187-year-old triple B rated finance house with over 17 billion dollars in assets.
The Bank is known to introduce mortgage financing, the business credit card, and pension banking mortgage in Ghana.
It presently has close to 40 offices and branches nationwide, and the Ho Branch was received with joy by all present.
It was the first public appearance for Mr James Gunu, newly appointed Volta Regional Minister, and who noted the timing, which he said indicated fresh prospects for the Region’s growth and development.
The Regional Minister appealed to support womenfolk in the Region, and said the bank could be of benefit to the Government’s soon to be rolled out special bank for women, and the 24-hour economic policy.
“Your coming should be a blessing to the Region, and I am calling on the business community to consider the Bank as partners in Development,” Mr Gunu stated.
Togbe Anikpi, traditional ruler who led chiefs of Asogli to the event, conveyed gratitude for the honour of hosting the Region’s first establishment of the Bank.
“We are excited to be witnessing this event today. We are grateful to the management for establishing the first branch in Volta in Ho Asogli.
‘The city is expanding very fast, and it will soon be a metropolitan area. We expect new businesses with the expansion of the town, and we believe with the establishment of this branch, employment opportunities will be created for our youth.
“We expect friendly customer service for our people, and your services should be flexible enough to be attractive to market women and the business community. We want to tell you that our doors are open, and we are prepared to work with you and give you all the support we need,” the traditional ruler said.
Among the dignitaries present were Dr Donald Cog Agumenu, aide to former President Jerry John Rawlings.
The Volta Regional Minister joined the Managing Director of the Bank and traditional rulers in cutting the ribbon and unveiling the plague to the new branch.
GNA
Story edited by Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante-Agyei