The Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Dr. John Kofi Mensah has announced a GHC1 million package to support the government’s fight against the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The decision, according to Dr. Mensah, was taken at a Board Meeting last week and is to be used in purchasing Personal Protective Equipment like Hand gloves, Face Masks, Hand Sanitizers and other disinfectants.
The items are to be distributed to Research Institutions, Farmer Based Organizations, the Ghana Police Service and identified Regional Hospitals nationwide.
The Managing Director said the Bank is to donate an amount of GHC200,000.00 to the COVID-19 Fund as announced by President Akufo-Addo.
“Our major focus will be on health institutions in mainly the peri-urban and rural areas, our customers and also our hardworking farmers and traders who are equally vulnerable to attack due to the nature of their work,” he said.
With farmers being some of the most vulnerable in society, the bank believes any support to them and other agribusinesses is a major step in the fight against the virus and would significantly cushion such a critical sector of the economy.
According to the Managing Director, the Bank will from this week ensure that the items reach the beneficiaries.
He said the bank has put in place measures to ensure all health protocols as outlined by Health Authorities are adhered to ensure that no staff is infected with the virus.
“Currently we have drastically reduced our workforce by about 45%, all our branches have been mandated to buy hand sanitizers for their personal and customer use and also we are observing the social distancing protocol at all our meetings and daily interactions,” he said.
Already the bank has aligned with the Ghana Bankers Association to contribute a total of GHC 10 million as the sectors contribution to stem the pandemic.
In addition to that we have also waived all interbank transfer fees on our digital platforms and mobile wallet transaction fees for transactions below GHC100.
“We urge our Customers to continue utilizing our numerous digital platforms like the ADB Mobile App, *767#, POS Terminals, Visa Prepaid Cards etc.”
Dr. Mensah advised the public to follow the health protocols as outlined including, frequent washing of hands with soap under running water, use of alcohol based hand sanitizers, properly disposing of tissues after use and also ensuring the social distancing protocol.
He also on behalf of the bank reminded customers and the public at large to comply with the presidential directives on arresting the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.