Kpando, Jun 17, GNA - The formal opening of the Kpando branch of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday will change the scales in business development in the area into a more vigorous one, Francis Ganyaglo, District Chief Executive, the District Chief Executive, said. He said ADB's arrival in Kpando is "our wish" long expected, and should result in the "mobilization of financial resources to revamp especially the private sector".

Mr Ganyaglo said the interplay of the strategic presence of ADB in the area with Millennium Challenge Account's build up of feeder road arteries linking farming areas to markets should open up the area "to more economic activities within a short time".

Besides its lush vegetation, producing grains, vegetables, tubers among others, Kpando District has a huge potential for horticulture and clay products and is a major fish production area lying along the Volta Lake. Mr Ganyaglo appealed to the ADB to "embark on a massive campaign on the need of the people to imbibe the culture of savings". Major Mahama Tara, ADB Board Member, said the Board had crafted suitable policies to give management of the bank impetus to make the "new look" ADB successful.

He said the new look ADB is market and customer oriented and being repositioned to reach out and serve the agro-business sectors nearer their operational bases better.

Major Tara asked customers to use credits judiciously to enable their businesses grow and for the loan beneficiary base to expand. Mr Stephen Kpordzih, ADB Managing Director, said the Bank was "keen on achieving organic growth in its retail and corporate and SME banking business by improving the quality of sales of existing products and services, as well as channels".

Mr Jude Gyasi, Kpando Branch Manager, said the Branch had won 480 customers within two weeks of operation.

Togbe Dagadu VII, Paramount Chief of the Akpini Traditional Area, who presided urged the Bank, to reduce the demand for collaterals in the management of credits for more people to benefit. The ADB is opening new branches in Ho, Nkwanta and Kpeve putting total branches in the Volta region at seven.

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