Savelugu, (N/R), Oct. 21, GNA - The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) has opened new branches in the Yendi, Savelugu/Nanton and Walewale districts of the northern region to serve the needs of its numerous customers.

The Bank has also opened a new branch in the Navrongo Municipality in the Upper East region.

Mr Stephen Kpordzih, Managing Director of ADB, at the inauguration of the Savelugu branch on Thursday said, the opening of new branches was to make its services accessible to customers every where they may be. He said while the bank would remain focused on agriculture, it was also diversifying its activities and introducing new products that would satisfy the needs of its customers.

Prince Askia Mohammed, Savelugu/Nanton District Chief Executive (DCE) said the opening of the ADB branch in the district was a window of hope, which would help reduce poverty levels among the people. He observed that the district was a beneficiary of some of the projects of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and urged the bank to assist farmer based organisations in the district with credit facilities to enable them to increase upon their production.

He also called on the bank not to forget its corporate social responsibility to the communities in which they were operating and urged the bank to identify areas they could assist the people. The DCE said the district has several water bodies which could be developed into irrigation facilities, to engage the youth during the dry season, to earn a living for themselves.

Alhaji Ibrahim Adam, Board Chairman of ADB, urged the people to see the bank as their own and cooperate with officials of the bank and also make regular savings in the bank to enable them to access credit to expand their businesses.