First National Bank Ghana has taken a major step toward expanding financial inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) after partnering with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) to organise a dedicated financial literacy training programme.
The initiative, described as the federation’s first dedicated Financial Literacy Training Programme for Persons with Disabilities, brought together more than 40 participants at the Conference Hall of the Ghana Federation of Persons with Disabilities in Accra.
The programme represents a significant push to ensure that financial inclusion extends beyond access to bank accounts and financial products. It seeks to equip persons with disabilities with the practical knowledge and confidence required to manage money, grow savings, explore investment opportunities and make sound financial decisions.
First National Bank Targets Financial Empowerment
The training focused on two of First National Bank Ghana’s flagship financial literacy modules, “Understanding My Money” and “Growing My Money.”
Participants were taken through practical lessons covering effective money management, personal and business banking, savings and investment strategies.
The broader objective was to help participants strengthen their financial capabilities and build a stronger foundation for long-term economic security.
For many PWDs, barriers to financial participation can extend beyond physical accessibility. Limited access to financial information, inadequate understanding of banking products and difficulties engaging with financial institutions can also restrict opportunities.
First National Bank’s intervention therefore seeks to address an important part of the financial inclusion challenge by placing financial knowledge at the centre of empowerment.
Bank Pledges More Inclusive Financial Ecosystem
Head of Retail Banking at First National Bank Ghana, Akweley Laryea, said genuine financial inclusion must go beyond simply making banking services available.
She explained that customers must also receive the knowledge, confidence and support needed to participate meaningfully in the financial system.
“At First National Bank Ghana, we believe that true financial inclusion goes beyond providing access to banking services.”
Akweley Laryea
According to Mrs Laryea, the programme reflects the bank’s commitment to ensuring that Persons with Disabilities are included in the economic opportunities available within society.
She further stressed that financial inclusion remains part of the bank’s responsibility to its diverse customers and stakeholders.
First National Bank, she said, is continuously improving its products, services and employee capabilities to create a banking experience that is accessible, respectful and empowering.
The bank’s commitment signals a broader ambition to create an environment where financial services can serve people across different sections of society without leaving vulnerable groups behind.
GFD Partnership Strengthens Disability Inclusion
The financial literacy programme builds on a recent partnership between First National Bank Ghana and the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations.
Under the collaboration, First National Bank also hosted specialised disability inclusion training for employees across its departments.
The training was facilitated by disability inclusion experts from GFD and focused on providing bank employees with practical guidance on interacting with and supporting customers with disabilities.
This component of the partnership is particularly important because financial inclusion depends not only on customer education but also on the ability of financial institutions to understand and respond effectively to the needs of PWDs.
By training its employees, First National Bank is seeking to ensure that inclusion becomes part of the customer experience rather than remaining a policy statement.
GFD Applauds First National Bank’s Bold Move
Rebecca Nunoo, Senior Disability Inclusion Advisor at the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, commended First National Bank for taking deliberate steps to improve accessibility and inclusion within Ghana’s financial services sector.
She noted that the bank’s approach goes beyond educating persons with disabilities on financial matters.
According to Mrs Nunoo, First National Bank is also investing in the capacity of its employees to understand and support the unique needs of customers with disabilities. “This is the type of partnership that creates lasting impact.”
Her comments highlight the importance of collaboration between financial institutions and disability advocacy organisations in addressing barriers that have historically limited equitable participation in Ghana’s economy.
Beyond Banking to Economic Empowerment
The latest initiative could have implications beyond traditional banking services.
Financial literacy can help individuals understand how to budget effectively, build emergency savings, distinguish between different financial products and make more informed investment decisions.
For persons seeking to establish or expand businesses, knowledge of business banking and financial management could also provide a stronger foundation for entrepreneurship.
The programme therefore places financial knowledge at the heart of economic empowerment.
First National Bank’s pledge to continue supporting a more inclusive financial ecosystem could also encourage greater attention to disability inclusion across Ghana’s banking industry.
As financial institutions increasingly focus on digital banking, savings mobilisation and investment products, ensuring that PWDs can access and understand these opportunities will remain critical.
A Bigger Push for Financial Inclusion
First National Bank Ghana’s partnership with GFD demonstrates how collaboration between the private sector and disability organisations can contribute to broader financial inclusion goals.
The training of more than 40 participants is an important beginning, but the lasting impact of the initiative could depend on how such programmes are sustained and expanded.
For First National Bank, the challenge now is to maintain the momentum by continuing to improve accessibility, strengthen staff capabilities and provide financial education tailored to different customer groups.
For Ghana’s PWD community, the initiative offers a fresh opportunity to gain financial knowledge and participate more confidently in the formal financial system.
As Mrs Laryea pledged, First National Bank intends to continue supporting a financial ecosystem where individuals have the opportunity to participate, prosper and achieve financial wellbeing.
The latest programme could therefore mark more than a single training session. It could signal a new push toward ensuring that disability is no longer a barrier to accessing financial knowledge, opportunities and economic participation in Ghana.
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