The staff of Access Bank Ghana Plc have supported over 6,000 deprived children to improve their quality of education.

Twelve schools across six regions have benefitted from refurbished libraries /ICT rooms and infrastructure, reading and learning materials, under the Bank’s Employee Volunteering Programme (EVP).

The Employee Volunteering Programme is a core component of Access Bank's Corporate Social Responsibility, which allows staff to contribute time and resources to support a cause in their communities of operation.

The 2021 EVP focused on instilling the habit of reading in children, in line with the Bank's commitment to the global Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Commenting on staff’s commitment, the MD of Access Bank, Olumide Olatunji, applauded the staff for their ever-growing commitment to supporting community initiatives.

“I am proud that my staff always rally behind projects aimed at transforming the lives of people in their communities of operation. This year’s EVP mobilized staff to raise resources to support underprivileged schools.

"It is a joy that our 2021 EVP aspirations have been met. Children in beneficiary schools can now have a decent library and ICT facilities to enhance their learning atmosphere and result in their educational growth”, he said.

The Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum, commended Access Bank for supporting the education of children, during a courtesy call on him.

He noted that about 87% of sub-Saharan children are “education poor” which is an indication of the potential number of the poor adult population in the near future “We need to change this narrative. We are therefore embarking on a project dubbed “90, 90, 90”, designed to ensure that 90% of children in Ghana are able to read in primary four, 90% transit primary school to Junior High School and 90% transit junior high to tertiary”, he noted.

He called on other organisations to emulate Access Bank’s gesture, by adopting government’s Communities of Excellence where this programme will be implemented.

Ag. Head of Corporate Communications for Access Bank, David-Akindele, pledged the Bank’s continued commitment to supporting development initiatives in its communities of operation, in line with the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy.

Categorised into twelve clusters across the country,  the staff chose deprived schools that needed refurbished library spaces, computer laboratories and educational materials in their communities of operation and raised over ¢150,000 to meet these needs. In addition, staff devoted time to assist children in reading.

Beneficiary schools were St. Mary's Basic School in Korle-Gonno, Adiebeba M/A Basic Schools A and B, Kaneshie Kingsway 1 Basic School, Father Martin’s Basic School in Tanoboase, Victorious Christian School in Ho, Gyankama Methodist Basic School, Mamprobi South 3 Basic School in Mamprobi.

The others were Republic Road Primary School in Tema community 4, Badu Addo Methodist Primary and Junior High School in Takoradi, Sokabisi Primary School in Bolgatanga, Aladjo 3 & 4 Basic School, La Wireless Cluster of Schools.

Access Bank intimates they remain committed to giving customers and communities more than banking.

The Bank has over the years developed a deep understanding of customers’ needs, delivering excellent service and empowering them to achieve more through financial inclusion.