Akim Ayerebi Rural Bank introduces micro finance for women Akim Ayirebi (E/R), Dec 15, GNA- The Akim Mansa Rural Bank at Akim Ayirebi in the Birim North District has introduced micro finance loans to women who are engaged in small-scale cottage industry like soap making, oil palm extraction and petty trading.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Isaac K. Asare who announced this at the sixth annual general meeting of the bank on Saturday, said 65 million cedis has so far been given to 130 women.

He said the bank had received 40 million cedis from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to be given to more women as micro finance loans to help them in their vocations.

Mr Asare said under the bank's scholarship scheme, shareholders who had shares of over 60,000 cedis and whose wards obtained up to aggregate 15 in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) qualify for full scholarship.

He said the bank purchased over 3.5 billion cedis worth of Akuafo cheques last year as against 3.2 billion cedis in 2001 and that it recorded a net profit of 73.7 million cedis for 2002 as against 70.9 million cedis in the previous year.

The Akim Ayirebihene, Obrempong Gyampire Agyekum, II who chaired the function, commended the Management and the Board of Directors for their hard work which had made the bank to be ranked 6th out of 100 rural banks in the country.