Madam Felicia Aba Dawood
Lower Pra Community Bank PLC in the Western Region recorded strong growth across key performance indicators in 2025, driven by prudent management decisions and strategic reforms.
The bank’s profit before tax rose to more than GH¢35.1 million, representing a 61.14 percent increase over the previous year.
Total assets also expanded by nearly 30 percent, increasing from GH¢379 million in 2024 to GH¢491.7 million in 2025. The bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 22.17 percent, well above the Bank of Ghana’s regulatory benchmark of 13 percent.
The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Felicia Aba Dawood, disclosed this at the bank’s 38th Annual General Meeting held at Shama in the Western Region on Saturday.
She noted that the achievements were clear evidence of the bank’s strong recovery, prudent management practices and strategic repositioning.
According to her, the bank successfully repositioned itself to improve loan accessibility, increase operational efficiency and expand digital income streams in order to protect profitability and shareholder value.
“While we celebrate these successes, we remain vigilant. Our Non-Performing Loans (NPL) ratio stands at 3.29 percent, reflecting prudent credit administration and effective loan recovery efforts,” she said.
Madam Aba Dawood further disclosed that during the year under review, the bank invested GH¢457,000 in various Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, particularly in the areas of education, sanitation, community development and social support.
She said the bank’s operational performance earned it several awards, including the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Africa Leadership Award.
Madam Aba Dawood explained that following the transition of the institution from a rural bank to a community bank, Lower Pra is now required under the Bank of Ghana’s revised Microfinance Sector Framework to maintain enhanced minimum capital requirements applicable to community banks.
To support this objective, she said, the Board is proposing the conversion of dividend payments into shares to strengthen the bank’s shareholders’ funds.
“This will assist the bank in attaining and sustaining the prescribed minimum share capital requirement as directed by the Bank of Ghana,” she noted.
The Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Ernest Nii Tackie-Otoo, said that when he assumed office in September 2024, the banking industry was under pressure and expectations were high.
“Today, through the support of our stakeholders and customers, Lower Pra has recorded one of the transformations in recent times,” he stated.
The Head of the Human Capital Department at ARB Apex Bank PLC, Francisca Dedei Afutu, commended the Board, Management and Staff of the bank for their strong financial performance during the year under review.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Shama