By Buertey Francis BORYOR
FirstBank Ghana Limited has kicked off the year with its annual health walk at Peduase in Accra, promoting employee fitness, strengthening team bonds and setting a proactive tone for a productive 2025.
Speaking to the B&FT after the event, Managing Director (MD) of FirstBank Ghana, Victor Yaw Asante, explained that the health walk aligns with the bank’s commitment to staff wellness and teamwork.
“We think our staff should be fit and healthy. Walking and exercising are great ways to achieve that. It also helps to create bonds among colleagues, which makes working together more effective and enjoyable,” he said.
Additionally, he stressed the significance of holding it at the start of the year. “It’s our way of telling ourselves the year has started, and it is time to focus and get things done,” he noted.
On the bank’s role in the financial sector, Mr. Asante reiterated FirstBank’s dedication to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“We have always been a strong bank for SMEs, providing working capital and facilitating trade. As we grow, we remain committed to helping our customers grow their businesses and contribute to a stronger economy,” he said.
He also highlighted the need for enhanced collaboration between the government and the banking sector, particularly in input financing. “Agriculture lending is difficult because of infrastructure gaps. If the state provides better infrastructure, it makes it easier for banks to support farmers,” he said.
Mr. Asante further pointed out that the country’s banks are ready to support the new administration’s development initiatives. “The banks are ready to collaborate on flagship projects. When the government succeeds, we succeed; because banks are affected by the macroeconomy,” he added.
CSR initiatives
In the area of corporate social responsibility, he said the bank will continue to focus on health, education and youth development. Additionally, the MD said that FirstBank is already supporting youth entrepreneurship through concessionary credit programmes and is prepared to partner with the new Ministry of Youth and Manpower Development to roll out interventions.
Touching on the bank’s support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in education technology, Mr. Asante emphasised FirstBank’s readiness to provide financial services that align with government priorities.
“We are a bank, and our role is to provide finance and financial services. Whatever government decides to focus on, we will do our part to ensure their success,” he stated.
Overview of key achievements in 2024
Reflecting on 2024, he said it was a year of growth and resilience for FirstBank. He highlighted significant milestones and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation.
“2024 was a year of growth and resilience for FirstBank Ghana. Our engagement with hiplife superstar, Sarkodie, as our Value Partner last year brought our new identity into the spotlight – amplifying our visibility, while championing impactful CSR activities.
“Additionally, we made significant progress in expanding our customer base and introducing innovative financial products tailored to meet the needs of individuals and businesses. We also reinforced our corporate social responsibility efforts through initiatives in education, healthcare and youth empowerment. These projects reflect our dedication to making a positive impact beyond financial services.
“Furthermore, FirstBank Ghana’s brand earned significant recognition in 2024, securing an impressive total of 24 awards from both local and international organisations,” the bank’s MD indicated.
He continued: “Another major achievement was the successful roll-out of a digital banking platform that has made transactions faster, more secure and accessible to customers across the country. Additionally, in 2024, we increased our funding and advisory services to SMEs, recognising their crucial role in driving economic growth.”
Mr. Asante expressed optimism about 2025, promising the bank will build on the successes of 2024 while addressing emerging challenges.
