Awutu-Bentun (C/R), July 18, GNA - More than 100 women's groups including farmers and traders' associations have received loans totalling 1.9 billion cedis from the Awutu Bawjiase Rural Bank to promote their businesses.

The Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Plan Ghana, a non-governmental organisation and the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, made the funds available.

The groups included the Credit and Savings with Women in Education, Susu Credit Scheme and Women in Development, with a total membership of more than 13,000.

Mr Emmanuel Osei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank announced this after separate meetings with groups of the beneficiary farmers and traders associations at Awutu-Bentum, Akuffokrodua, Bawjiase, Adeiso and Kasoa.

Mr Osei said between January and June this year, the Bank mobilised 173.6 million cedis from the Susu Credit Scheme while the Credit and Savings with Women in Education made total savings of 140.3 million cedis.

He commended members of the associations and the bank's shareholders for their contributions towards the fulfilment of the bank's social obligations to customers.

Mr Osei cautioned the bank workers against complacency, saying that the Board had instituted awards for dedicated and committed staff. He announced that a number of courses were being organised to upgrade their banking skills.