Gomoa Afransi (C/R), Feb 21, GNA - The Gomoa Ajumako Rural Bank at Afransi has decided to offer soft loans to new teachers posted to the Gomoa East and Gomoa West districts to enable them pay their rent advances and bu= y electrical gadgets.

Mr Robert Job Arkoh, General Manager of the bank, told journalists that this was to encourage teachers to accept postings to the district. He said because of the delay by the Controller and Accountant's Gener= al Department to pay new teachers promptly the back decided to assist them to prevent teachers from going to money lenders.

Mr Arkoh said a similar package has been given to car owners and driver= s who are customers of the bank to buy spare parts, tyres, wind screens and other important parts to reduce accidents.

He said the bank realized that most of these drivers and car owners foun= d it difficult to maintain their vehicles especially commercial ones due to financial difficulties, hence the institution of the package. Mr Arkoh said as part of the component of Millennium Development Authority (MIDA) to assist rural banks, Gomoa Ajumako Rural Bank was among 25 to network all five branches.