By Ewurabena Paha
A Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, has applauded rural and community banks for holding the pillars of the country’s financial sector. She said the strength of the financial sector is no longer measured by profit alone but by impact and risk management.
Mrs. Asante-Asiedu said rural banks have, in the last four decades, carried the weight of Ghana’s financial inclusion agenda, and they deserve a pat on the back. She was speaking at the 2nd Women in Rural Banking Conference and 10th Rural Banking Week in Ho.
Since the establishment of Ghana’s first rural bank in Agona Nyakrom in the Central Region in 1976, the sector has expanded to 147 licensed Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) with more than 850 branches across all regions. RCBs were established to extend credit and financial services to farmers, traders, and small businesses in underserved communities. Today, RCBs continue to play a pivotal role in job creation, community development, and financial intermediation, with women championing these agendas.
Mrs. Asante-Asiedu, as the special guest of honor at the 2nd Women in Rural Banking Conference in Ho, applauded the role of women as torchbearers in the rural banking sector. She said the future of community banking is bright because women in the sector are making a difference with integrity.
Her address also highlighted technology and its role in today’s banking and financial ecosystem. She charged the women to change the narrative in the way they do business.
The National President of the Association of Rural Banks, Mr. Eric Appiah, touched on the role of women in the rural banking sector, expressing optimism about the future, which he believes is promising.
The three-day conference is under the theme: “Driving Sustainable Financial Inclusion and Good Governance in Rural and Community Banks through ESG Principles.” Other banking women groups, including the Ghana Commercial Bank, SIC, and Women Association of ECG, gave fraternal messages to support their colleagues.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of APEX Bank, Alex Kwesi Awuah, said reaching communities which were previously excluded from accessing banking services is enough to applaud rural and community banks for the yeoman’s job they have been doing over the last 40 years. Addressing members at the 10th Rural Banking Week in Ho, Mr. Awuah said ESG is a priority in the bank’s strategic plans for 2026. This is why the bank requires an all-hands-on-deck attitude to increase and sustain the gains made.
Renowned economist and international corporate executive Dr. Frank Boateng, who spoke on financial literacy, said it is not only relevant to the rural banking sector but also crucial to expanding branch networks and engaging with customers.
The Head of Other Financial Institutions and Supervision at the Bank of Ghana, Madam Mercy Ampa Benin, who represented the Governor, thanked staff, the board, and management of ARB APEX Bank and the heads of the various rural banks for blazing the torch and showing the banking and financial sector the possibilities that togetherness can achieve. She said the central bank is very aware of the problems the sector has and is working to help address them.
Rural and Community Banks and some personalities who distinguished themselves during the year under review were honoured with citations and plaques during a dinner dance to climax the three-day conference.
