Kumasi: Access Bank Ghana, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has earmarked approximately GH?1 billion in 2025 to support the operations of cocoa licensed buying companies and other value chain actors.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, Ms. Pearl Nkrumah, highlighted that this initiative, which initially began with a GH?100 million budget five years ago, is aimed at enhancing the Ghanaian export and agricultural sectors. Cocoa, being a pivotal export crop for Ghana, stands to gain significantly from this financial boost. Ms. Nkrumah also mentioned the bank's plans to extend similar support to other cash crops such as cashew and shea.
During a media engagement in Kumasi, Ms. Nkrumah emphasized the bank's commitment to facilitating export activities through its export desk, which provides trade lines to farmers and value chain actors, enabling them to bring in foreign exchange. In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the bank has also provided loans to agribusinesses at a 4 percent interest rate, with about 40 percent of the beneficiaries being from the Ashanti Region.
Ms. Nkrumah reaffirmed the bank's dedication to seeking partnerships that bolster agricultural development and pledged to enhance programs fostering SME growth. In terms of environmental sustainability, Access Bank Ghana is focusing on waste management, carbon reduction, green building, and energy solutions to reach net-zero goals by 2027. Key initiatives include the 'Waste is Useful' project, tree planting campaigns, and operating from an IFC-certified 'EDGE' green head office.
Operating from over 50 business locations across Ghana, Access Bank actively invests in initiatives promoting environmental conservation, community development, and social well-being across various sectors including health, education, and business development.