Business News of Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Source: GNA

Access Bank launches 'W' initiative to support women

Access Bank Ghana has officially launched its women Banking initiative dubbed the “‘W’ initiative" to inspire, connect and empower women across the country.

The 'W' initiative provided a bundle of tailor made products and services to women, ranging from young professionals, women with family and women in business.

Mr Dolapo Ogundimu, the Managing Director, Access Bank Ghana, speaking at the launch in Accra said women constituted an important market that could not be ignored, hence management decision to provide a banking platform to empower them.

The value proposition of the initiative would enable women to take full advantage of opportunity that would help them achieve their long held dreams and aspirations in life.

"We have created this initiative based on our strong conviction that special attention needs to be given to this powerful segment of our community," he added.

He said it was intended to inspire positive changes in women through the various stages of their life, and across all levels of society, from the young graduate to woman entrepreneurs.

The Managing Director said the organisation as a sustainable banking institution would enable women from all walks of life to achieve a healthy and fulfilling life style, build entrepreneurial capacity and achieve exposure through a vast network if role models and mentors.

Mr Ogundimu explained that the initiative was opened to all women, who were keen on advancing their dreams.

"It has now become part of our sustainable and overall financial inclusion strategy, which we are convinced, will therefore add immense value in the markets and communities that Access Bank serves," he added.

He said a special desk has been dedicated to the initiative and their task was to achieve a better understanding of prospective women clients banking and financial needs and come up with an enhanced financial solution tailored to suit their situation.

Mr Herbert Wigwe, the Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc said the initiative demonstrated management’s in-depth appreciation of the needs of women, which has informed the advancement of this empowerment initiative to ensure the well being of women in all sphere in their lives.

Mrs Mawuena Trebarh, the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), commended the Bank for its revolutionary idea of deepening inclusive banking in the country to reach many unbanked markets.

She, therefore, called for a strong partnership between banks in the country and the GIPC in enhancing investment facilitation in the country.

She said the initiative was critical, owing to the fact that it was aimed at empowering women from all walks of life to have access to resources and coaching to develop the right financial lifestyle and help them succeed.

The 'W' initiative for young professionals provides the speed and convenience of banking through a range of products and services tailored for the young woman professional.

The initiative for women in business also offered them a banking solutions designed to meet the everyday needs of their business.

It supports women with families with products and services dedicated to helping them manage their unique financial needs.

It also has the maternal health scheme tailored to help couples overcome their financial challenges.