By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY
The Ahantaman Rural Bank Plc has held its 40th Anniversary Symposium to exchange knowledge and ideas between stakeholders and customers.
It was on the theme ‘Forty years of Ahantaman Rural Bank – impact on stakeholders and the community’.
Eric Daning Esq., Board Chairman of the Bank, explained that “the bank was established 1982, led by the late William Kojo Thompson at Agona Nkwanta in the Ahanta West municipality of Western Region”.
He said through good corporate governance the bank now has 23 branches dotted across the region.
“We have progressed and continue to progress by making a difference in the communities, especially with our corporate social responsibility,” he said.
According to him, customers of the bank have been wonderful and there has been peaceful co-existence between the bank and its communities. “We are grateful to our customers and shareholders for their prompt payment of loans.
“Ahantaman PLC has been touted as one of the few banks whose good corporate governance is on top. Customers have also received valuable returns on their investment and we have given them education to improve upon their status-quo,” he said.
He saluted former Board Chairman Vincent Blaychie for being a visionary leader, one who listened to advice and suggestions.
He pointed that out that the Bank CEO, Benjamin Afful-Eshun, with his visionary leadership has led the bank’s sterling performances over the years.
At the roundtable discussion Rev. Prosper Asamoah, Proprietor-Sanctuary Montessori, praised the bank by saying: “I’m not sure we would be in existence if we had not received support from you”.
He said with funding from the bank, growth has been rapid. “With seven years of self-financing, we’ve had a shoulder to rely on.”
“Today, we have a significant building with great education from 38 classrooms. Promptness and speed are what make Ahantaman Bank stand out; the staff and board check on their customers to learn how our business is doing – and we are grateful,” he testified.
Nana Kwasi Agyemang IX, Omahene of Lower Dixcove, continued that the bank has built a good reputation over the years.
“They have changed the lives of people in communities where they operate and constructed a lot of projects for development to thrive,” he said.
Mr. Samuel Gyimah Amoako, Head-Finance, ARB Apex Bank, lauded Ahantaman for their products and services which have contributed to the bank’s growth.
He congratulated them on their 40th-year anniversary celebrations, adding “rural banking in Ghana will be 50-years old next year”.
Bank CEO, Benjamin Afful-Eshun said: “I came to meet 12 branches and now we have 23 branches with a staff strength of 400.
“We have supported Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), especially women, to maintain and expand their businesses – which has enabled them to generate employment,” he said.
The bank’s 40th anniversary celebration will climax on November 24, 2024 with a Thanksgiving Service.
