Jacobu-Ash., July 20, GNA - More than 10,000 people have benefited from the micro finance activities designed by Odotobri Rural Bank to minimize poverty in the rural communities. Mr. G.F. Opoku, Supervising Manager of the bank announced this in an interview with the GNA at Jacobu in the Amansie Central District of Ashanti at the weekend.

He said the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2005 offered Odotobri rural bank 70,000 Ghana Cedis as grant for being the best bank in the management of micro finance activities. The money was disbursed to beneficiaries who undertook various income generation ventures, he said, adding that the bank's recovery rate had been encouraging over the years. Mr. Opoku said each field officer handled a number of clients, and that clients underwent some training for a number of weeks before credit was granted.

The supervising Manager said these had brought positive impact on the general performance of the bank, with profits increasing year after year. "There have also been improvements in the image and confidence of the bank as the number of clients keep increasing." 20 July 09