Mr Daniel Ohene Owusu, a deputy Chief Manager of the Bank of Ghana, has said that the government recognised the immense contribution of rural banks in providing financial intermediation in rural communities.

''It is in recognition of this role that rural banks are entrusted with the disbursement of various credit schemes for farmers.''

Mr Owusu was speaking at the 14th annual general meeting of the Sekyere Rural Bank.

He said to support agriculture and other micro-productive activities in the rural areas, the Small Scale Input and Marketing Project of the International Fund for Agricultural Development had been introduced for farmers.

Mr Owusu appealed to the boards of directors of rural banks to be abreast with the strength and weaknesses of their banks.

''It is in this and other contexts that BOG has been advocating the inclusion of persons with knowledge and experience in banking, finance, accounting, law, economics and management on the boards.''

Mr Kwame Dapaa-Siakwan, chairman of the board of directors, said the bank made a profit of 1.115 billion cedis as against 403.4 million cedis the previous year.

Mr Dapaa-Siakwan said in line with the bank's policy donated 55.5 million cedis to various communities in which it operates.

Ten million cedis went to Jamasi for street lights and the construction of a structure for the Jamasi health centre while Tabre and Dawu received 5 million cedis for boreholes and 5 million cedis went to Boanim, Amenase and Dome for school projects.