Only 30% of Ghanaians have bank accounts; it's worrying - Morgan Asiedu

HR, Legal and Compliance Executive Director of Ecobank, Morgan Asiedu has expressed worry about the low penetration rate of banking and financial institutions in the country.

Morgan Asiedu suggested that financial institutions in the banking industry have about 1000 branches across the country but has only captured about 30% of the country's population.

Referring to statistics from the Central Bank, the HR, Legal and Compliance Executive Director intimated that, more must be done, to reverse the trend and make it more convenient for people to access financial services.

To achieve this, Morgan Asiedu asserted that his outfit has introduced mobile apps to facilitate convenient banking and financial services for Ghanaians.

This he remarked was been done mainly by employing the use of technology that can be used by any kind of device.

"Statistics from the BoG indicate that the banking sub-sector remains rapidly expanding and dynamic segment of the Ghanaian financial services landscape. Currently, the number of universal banks in the country has reduced from 36 to mainly 30 through the merger of five banks in the country and the liquidation of two. In addition, Ghana has numerous Rural and Community Banks, Non-Bank Financial Institutions and Microfinance Institutions. Despite having over 1, 000 physical branches in total for universal banks, the number of bank accounts in Ghana is estimated to cover only 30% of the Ghanaian population" Morgan Asiedu disclosed.

2-day training of journalists

Morgan Asiedu made these remarks as he addressed journalists at a two-day forum supported by Ecobank.

The forum for business journalists is aimed at bringing members up to date with current trends and improve their knowledge on key concepts in the field that influence their work.

Ecobank has supported the group, Journalists for Business Advocacy (JBA) over the past three years particularly with the organisation of the annual workshop.

Morgan Asiedu hinted that the support for the activities of the Journalists for Business Advocacy is a means of contributing to the media development and enhancement of their role of informing, educating and entertaining the public.

Close to 150 journalists across the country have benefitted the workshop.

Collaborate to achieve more

In his speech, General Secretary of Ghana Journalists Association, Kofi Yeboah challenged journalists to eschew the spirit of selfishness and learn to collaborate.

He was of the view that despite the media house one belongs to, there is the need in some cases to collaborate with fellow colleagues on projects for greater outcomes and better impact in the long run.

Kofi Yeboah questioned the rationale behind individual work that yields little or no results and falls short of standards and quality work.

He thus urged journalists gathered to be focused in their stories and build each work around a specific theme.