Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG) is committing up to One million Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,000,000.00), to the fight to contain and stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

CBG, an indigenous bank, and the country’s second-largest in terms of branch network, is dedicating the funds to public education, supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and other vital equipment to aid the national effort at preventing the spread of the flu-like virus.

A statement from CBG to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), quoted the Managing Director, Daniel Wilson Addo, as saying that, the money would be well-targeted to achieve maximum impact.

It said the Bank would be acting swiftly and timeously on requests for assistance received from key frontline institutions, tackling the public health emergency.

“As a proud Ghanaian bank, we stand with every Ghanaian. We know we have a moral responsibility to play this strong role in stemming the spread of the virus.”

The statement said the bank was also providing support to its customers by subsidizing the cost of using its electronic payment channels and other digital banking products.

Ghana’s case count has shot up to 132 with three deaths.

Global infection of the pathogen has topped 471,000 with more than 21,000 dead as leaders scramble to deal with the virus that has changed the normal routine and pattern of life.

The statement noted that the increasing number of confirmed cases including community transmissions was fueling calls for mass testing.

“This will mean that medical research centres such as Noguchi Memorial Institute will need more resources in order to increase their capacity to test more people.

“Some of these funds will be used to support the expenses of such Ghanaian institutions in their fight against COVID-19,” the statement said.

It reminded the public to observe good personal hygiene, social distancing and other measures put in place by the government to curb the spread of the infection.

The bank encouraged increasing use of online or mobile platforms for financial transactions, as a critical part of the social distancing guidelines from the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health.