The Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB) has disclosed its plans of opening new branches across the country.

This was announced by the Managing Director, Dr John Kofi Mensah. The 14 new branches, when successful, will see the banks’ 86-networked locations nationwide to increase to about 100, as part of a strategy to extend its services closer to all Ghanaians.

According to the Managing Director, the new branches are to be cited in small towns and villages, especially in the newly created regions by the end of the year 2022, to increase the bank’s presence and to serve the needs of its increasing customers.

“We are trying to expand the bank’s outlets into all the small towns and villages. We are using technology to reach all the facets of Ghana, but at the same time the physical presence especially in small towns is important.”
Dr John Kofi Mensah

Dr Mensah iterated the commitment of the bank to reach every corner of the country, disclosing that the bank has already started opening branches in some regions.

“The bank deemed it important that the newly created regions easily get access to the bank. We had already set up branches in three [regions], with plans to ensure the rest are not left out.”
Dr John Kofi Mensah

Targeting rural areas, Dr Mensah indicated would not only ensure that there are small branches in district capitals and other areas, but would serve as additional support for the technology-based banking services it is offering nationwide.

Increase in ATMs

The Managing Director added that the Bank would increase its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) nationwide. He also noted that the bank procured 14 brand new ATMs to replace obsolete ones in Accra last year, 2021.

Dr Mensah hinted that an “Entrepreneurships Building Scheme” would be outdoored this year to help groom the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“Those customers we have built to become very big in certain areas, we are bringing the youth closer to them so we create some form of jobs and training till they are also confident to be entrepreneurs and move up.”
Dr John Kofi Mensah

The MD described last year as a good year for the bank, marked by improvement over the previous one, despite the post-COVID-19 challenges and provision of a lot of support to out-growers in the agribusiness.

This year, Dr Mensah said “shareholders, directors, and managers would be concentrating on mobilising resources for the agriculture sector because it is growing with increased demands for financial support.”

“Quite a lot is needed for the industry. Ghana is consecrating on the value chain in the agribusiness sector, from crops to fisheries to perennial crops, therefore financial support is needed. We want to be able to rise to the occasion.”
Dr John Kofi Mensah

While praising the clients, Dr Mensah lauded the support by the customers in supporting the bank stand firm in troubling times.

“As a business, the Agricultural Development Bank has become what it is today, thanks to your business relationship with us over the years, through the turbulent time, your loyalty has been persistent.”
Dr John Kofi Mensah