Jacobu (Ash), June 26, GNA - Mr Emmanuel K. Kwapong, the Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank Rural, has appealed to banks to create the necessary environment that would make their banks user-friendly for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

He said the banks should prepare the grounds to serve the PWDs by the end of this year.

Mr Kwapong, who gave the directive at the annual general meeting of shareholders of Odotobri Rural Bank at Jacobu, reminded all rural banks that the project to make the banks user-friendly for PWDs was launched during the rural banks' week last year. "The project requires small investment for the construction of ramp at the frontage of the bank over which a wheel chair can pass and also the positioning of a special desk in the banking hall to receive the PWDs", he said.

The Managing Director said the rural banking sector recognized the need to offer this segment of the population which represented eight per cent, the opportunity to be productive by offering them banking opportunities.

"We shall only achieve this objective if we provide them with user-friendly banking environment. I therefore urge all rural banks to endeavour to complete this project before the end of the year". Mr Kwapong said the ARB Apex Bank, in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment, would soon organize training programmes for rural banks staff to enable them handle those with disabilities.

Mr J. Owusu-Boadi, Chairman of Odotobri rural Bank, said the bank constructed six bus stops at Akrokerri, Kwapia, Obuasi and Four Battalion of Infantry in Kumasi. He said the bank intended to construct a multi-purpose community centre at Jacobu to raise the image of the district capital.