Access Bank Ghana Ltd has held its first mini-draw to reward 27 customers and patrons in the “Easy Access Promo” in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale, on Thursday September  26, 2013.

The mini-draw was preceded by a savings walk across the principal streets of Tamale to reach the under-banked and unbanked.

The draw for the “Easy Access Promo” which comes barely four weeks after the launch of the Consumer Promo in August was overwhelmingly subscribed, recording over 20,000 entrants.

Industry watchers say the impressive performance of the “Easy Access Promo” is due to its focus on financial inclusion through the novel ‘Savings Walk’ aimed at taking banking services to the unbanked, under-banked and those with poor or limited access to financial services.

Speaking at the mini-draw in Tamale, Mr. Stephen Abban, Group Head for Retail Banking at Access Bank (Ghana) reiterated the impressive strides the promo has chalked so far and attributed its success to the massive support received from staff who are constantly committed to setting new standards in the industry.

Mr. Abban noted that the Easy Access promo was designed with the ordinary customer in mind, as such the barriers for the entry and draw qualification were reduced to afford a lot more customers the opportunity to participate in the promotion and have an equal chance of winning.

"We believe that targeting the un-banked and under-banked businesses and individuals helps break down the structural, educational and cultural barriers that prevent access to banking services", he said.

He was delighted that the thirty winners announced will provide impetus for potential customers who have adopted the “wait and see” attitude before they sign up.

Mr. Kameel Adebayo, Executive Director of the bank revealed that Access Bank was expanding its network in Ghana and the rest of Africa to serve customers better.

He said "by deepening engagement with financial services, people can be supported to lift themselves out of poverty and share in the economic growth of the economies and communities we serve."

Mr. Ekow Incoom, Head of Business Promotions at the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) noted that the process of selecting winners for the first mini-draw was fair and transparent.

He added the NLA had supervised the promo from its inception, and could assure customers and the general public of its integrity.

Distinguished personalities including Prince A.A. Mohamed, Presiding member for the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and Alhaji Abu Takoro, Chairman of the Education Board were present at the mini-draw.

To enter the promotion, customers are expected to deposit GHS200 into their new or existing Access Bank savings or current accounts. Customers can also increase their chances in the draw by depositing multiples of GHS 200.