By Ewurabena Paha
All 146 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) across Ghana have converged on the Western Regional capital, Takoradi, for the 24th edition of their annual conference.
The four-day event, themed “Bridging the gap: Empowering rural banks in a digital economy,” focuses on how RCBs can leverage digitalisation to enhance their operations and strengthen financial inclusion.
Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank, Alex Kwesi Awuah, reported strong financial performance despite challenges posed by the financial sector reforms, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme. He revealed that the bank’s total assets in the first half of 2025 stood at GHS 21.2 billion, while deposits rose to GHS 18.2 billion, a significant increase from the 2022 figures of GHS 6.71 billion in assets and GHS 5.94 billion in deposits.
Mr Awuah described the conference theme as timely, highlighting the need for rural banks to align with mainstream banking to become leaders in financial inclusion and partners in the government’s drive to bring every Ghanaian into the financial ecosystem. He also announced the procurement of 773 point-of-sale (POS) devices for RCBs prioritising digital banking.
Special guest of honour and Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Matilda Asante Asiedu, represented by Deputy Director and Head of Other Financial Institutions Supervision, Madam Mercy Ampa Benin, commended the RCBs and ARB Apex Bank for their achievements. She stressed that rural banks remain a vital bridge linking communities to financial services and assured them of the central bank’s continued support.
President of the RCB CEOs group, Alhaji Awudu Ibrahim, raised concerns about CEO tenure, rising armed robbery attacks on rural banks, and the need for the central bank to resolve outstanding issues related to cash inflows.
Participants were also trained on key areas including anti-robbery and security strategies, digital banking frameworks, information and communications technology, and other critical aspects of RCB operations.
