By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Apowa, Nov. 27, GNA – Mr. Eric Danning, the Board Chairperson of the Ahantaman Rural Bank PLC, has attributed the bank’s growth and profitability in the last four decades to good corporate governance and resilience in the face of challenges.
He said the effort of successive directors, managers and staff in sustaining the fortunes of the Bank, which was saddled with many internal and external hiccups, could not be taken for granted.
Mr. Danning, a professional lawyer and magistrate, said this at the 40th anniversary durbar organised on the theme: “40 years of Ahantaman Rural Bank- Impact on Stakeholders and Community.”
He said the bank, after enduring many challenges from 1995 to 2005, initiated pragmatic strategies and appointments, which made it possible for the Bank to make some headway, but 2007, saw its fortunes improved.
The bank also embarked on computerisation programmes to ensure that services were interconnected and efficient.
Mr. Danning announced that the Bank was doing well in deposits, investment, advances and other key performance indicators.
The Bank from one branch at Agona-Nkwanta in the Ahanta West Municipality now has 23 with 453 staff branches spanning Western and Central Regions.
He announced that the Bank of Ghana had also approved the payment of dividends to shareholders.
Mr. Danning said the Bank had also invested hugely in corporate social responsibility from education, disaster support, medicals among other community support.
Mr. Samuel Gyimah Amoako, Head of Finance, ARB Apex Bank rated Ahantaman Rural Bank as the second largest networks bank among Rural banks in the country.
Over the years, the Bank, he reported, had fulfilled all financial duties while working tirelessly to alleviate poverty in the communities.
Nana Kwesi Agyeman IX, a former Director and Pioneer member of the Bank, reminded current staff and management of the toil of founding members and the need for the current generation to preserve the values that established the bank.
He reminisced about the roles of Mr. William Kojo Thompson, Peter Kwame Ansah, James Mike Abban, Mr Etru Inkumssah and others for blazing the path which had become a shining light in rural banking in Ghana.
Honorary awards were given to management and staff while key stakeholders were also rewarded.
GNA