On Thursday, Dr Cassel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, delivered a speech at the 50th anniversary durbar of Nyakrom Community Bank PLC in Nyakrom, Agona West District, Central Region. He lauded the bank’s pioneering initiative in rural and community banking, noting its positive impact on local livelihoods and the nation at large.
Forson highlighted that the bank’s 50‑year journey began in 1976 when the Government of Ghana and the Bank of Ghana introduced the rural banking concept to bring formal credit to underserved rural areas. He said the model had grown to 147 community banks, 1,000 branches, and over 800,000 customers nationwide, creating thousands of jobs for youth and supporting rural enterprises.
Nyakrom Community Bank itself has expanded from a single branch to 11 branches, 350 staff and 100,000 customers, and has extended operations to many regions in the past four years. Its total assets stood at GHC 232 million in August 2026, with loans of GHC 146 million and deposits of GHC 203 million.
Dr Samuel Dufu, the bank’s founder and former chairman, was praised for establishing Ghana’s first rural bank and for redeeming cocoa farms from moneylenders in 1976. The bank has financed farmers, traders, SMEs, and provided school loans and CSR partnerships with health centres and churches.
Mr Kaidebi Donkor, CEO of Nyakrom Community Bank, urged Parliament to consider reducing the 30 % tax on community bank profits, citing its effect on operations. He also outlined plans to deepen financial inclusion through agency banking, mobile money, new products for women and youth, and investment in cybersecurity.
Other speakers included CEOs of Amenfiman Community Bank, President of the National Association of Community Banks, and the Acting Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank. The event celebrated the bank’s role in promoting financial inclusion and community development over five decades.
