Accra, April 7, GNA – Fidelity Bank Ghana, in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the European Union, has concluded a short-term skills training programme aimed at empowering Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the Bono East and Ahafo Regions.
The training, under the Bank’s “Empower ALL” initiative and implemented with support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ-Ghana), provided vocational and financial literacy skills to more than 230 participants, surpassing the initial target of 150.
It formed part of the Ghana-Germany Joint Action on Jobs, Migration and Development (JMD), and was designed to promote the inclusion of PwDs in local economies by equipping them with market-relevant skills and improving access to financial services.
The training sessions, which took place in communities including Prang, Yeji, Atebubu, Goaso, Hwidiem and Bechem, combined entrepreneurship development with financial education to enhance self-reliance.
Mr Julian Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the project, noting that inclusive development remained central to the Bank’s vision.
“This partnership with GIZ reflects our deep-rooted belief that every Ghanaian, regardless of their physical ability, deserves access to opportunities that can transform their lives, and one of the critical ways to achieve this is through financial literacy,” Mr Opuni said.
He added that the success of the programme reinforced the Bank’s commitment to driving sustainable empowerment through strategic partnerships.
Fidelity Bank funded the procurement of training materials and provided logistical support for the initiative. Beneficiaries were also introduced to inclusive financial products designed to meet their specific needs, and were trained in areas such as market positioning, business strategy, savings, and budgeting.
At the end of the programme, participants received certificates of completion to mark their transition towards economic independence.
Mr Andreas Berding, Head of the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development, said the collaboration with Fidelity Bank had proven vital in advancing skills training for PwDs.
“By working closely with local stakeholders and tailoring training to individual needs, we are not only equipping participants with practical skills but also enhancing their economic independence,” he said.
Ms Nana Yaa Afriyie Ofori-Koree, Head of Partnerships, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Fidelity Bank, said the overwhelming response from participants was a call to action for further interventions.
“This initiative is a clear demonstration of how strategic partnerships can drive meaningful change,” she said. “Persons with Disabilities often face economic barriers, but through this programme, we have provided them with the tools to build sustainable businesses and improve their livelihoods.”
She said Fidelity Bank remained committed to expanding the initiative’s reach through mentorship, extended financial literacy workshops, and further collaboration with the Labour Department and Business Advisory Centres.
The success of the project, she said, underlined the potential of public-private partnerships in advancing socio-economic inclusion across the country.
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