By Jibril Abdul Mumuni, GNA
Accra, July 3, GNA – The Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG), in collaboration with key partners, has trained more than 200 persons with disability (PWDs) in financial management skills to enhance their economic independence and promote financial inclusion.
The initiative, organised in partnership with disability-focused organisations and other stakeholders, forms part of the bank’s inclusive banking strategy aimed at ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in accessing financial services.
Empowering the PWDs through financial literacy and access to resources was key to building a more inclusive and equitable society.
Madam Sheila Azuntaba, the Deputy Managing Director in charge of Corporate, Business Banking and Technology at CBG, said the training was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge in financial management, including bookkeeping, savings, and responsible borrowing.
The Bank, she explained, recognised the need to empower PWDs with foundational financial skills to enable them to effectively manage their businesses and engage confidently with financial institutions.
“One of the key takeaways for participants is to gain basic bookkeeping skills. As much as we want to onboard them as clients, we also want to ensure they are responsible and able to manage whatever financial support they receive,” she said.
Madam Azuntaba noted that the training was part of CBG’s broader commitment to building an inclusive financial ecosystem where persons with disability had equal opportunities to thrive.
The Bank, which operated across more than 100 locations nationwide, would expand similar initiatives to other regions to ensure greater access to tailored financial products and services for PWDs, she said.
The programme, organised on the sidelines of a financial literacy campaign, also sought to promote entrepreneurship among the participants by enhancing their ability to save, invest, and build sustainable livelihoods.
Madam Azuntaba emphasised that financial literacy remained a critical driver of economic empowerment and national development, particularly for marginalised groups such as PWDs.
She also called for increased government and private sector support for PWDs, particularly in creating market opportunities and integrating them into national development programmes.
The initiative aligns with CBG’s sustainability goals, especially in promoting decent work, economic growth, and reducing inequalities by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their physical condition, have access to opportunities and financial services.
Madam Dorcas Naa Korklu Aforte, Founder of the Naa Korklu Foundation, underscored the importance of partnerships in driving inclusive development, noting that the collaboration with CBG demonstrated what could be achieved when institutions worked together to empower vulnerable groups.
She urged participants to fully utilise the knowledge gained to enhance their businesses and personal finances.
Some of the beneficiaries showcased their entrepreneurial talents during the event, displaying products such as beads, clothing, and leather works, highlighting the potential within the disability community when given the needed support.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe