Fidelity Bank Ghana has denied allegations of a GH¢3.6 million disappearance from a project fund managed for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).

Initial reports suggested that the assembly had raised concerns over the missing amount, believed to be part of a GH¢8.6million loan for the KMA-Krofrom Market Project redevelopment.

Fidelity Bank clarified in a statement that no money was missing. They stated that the entire GH¢8.6 million disbursed for Phase 1 included both bank funds and KMA's contribution.

“There is no missing or unaccounted-for amount of GH¢3.6 million as indicated in KMA’s release. The entire amount of GH¢8.6 million disbursed for Phase 1 of the project comprised GH¢4 million disbursed from Fidelity Bank’s approved facility of GH¢5 million and the KMA’s own funds of GH¢4.6 million disbursed from their contribution of GH¢5 million towards the project,” the statement read.

BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT;

FIDELITY BANK GHANA LTD CLARIFIES ISSUES RAISED BY KMA REGARDING THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KMA-KROFROM MARKET PROJECT

Accra, May 11th, 2024 – Fidelity Bank would like to clarify some aspects of a press release issued by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) on Friday, May 10, 2024, regarding the Krofrom Market Redevelopment Project. Below are the facts:

•    In November 2020, KMA transferred an amount of GHS 5 million as advance mobilization into the KMA-Krofrom Market Redevelopment project account held at Fidelity Bank. Readers should kindly take note that these initial funds were from KMA’s own resources.

•    In December 2020, at the request of KMA, Fidelity Bank approved a GHS 5 million short-term loan facility for the KMA-Krofrom Market Redevelopment project which was to be disbursed in phases based on the progress of work done.

•    In February 2021, Fidelity Bank disbursed GHS 4 million out of the GHS 5 million approved short-term facility to KMA. The Assembly (KMA) then utilized the facility of GHS 4 million together with their own funds of GHS 4.6million to support payments to project contractors amounting to GHS8.6 million under the first phase of the project.

•    In December 2021, KMA paid off the total outstanding facility of GHS 4 million to Fidelity Bank.

•    From the foregoing records of Fidelity Bank Ghana, there is no missing or unaccounted for amount of GHS 3.6 million as indicated in KMA’s release. The entire amount of GHS 8.6 million disbursed for Phase 1 of the project comprised GHS 4 million disbursed from Fidelity Bank’s approved facility of GHS 5 million and the KMA’s own funds of GHS 4.6 million disbursed from their contribution of GHS 5million towards the project.

•    Fidelity Bank reiterates that it has consistently maintained open communication channels with KMA regarding the project fund, exchanging letters and emails since April 5, 2023, to address inquiries and concerns. We have provided all necessary information as of September 27, 2023, and remain open to further communication. All correspondence is on record.

We would like to assure KMA and the public that we are fully committed to cooperating with any investigations or inquiries to address this matter comprehensively. Our priority remains upholding the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and integrity in all our dealings.

Fidelity Bank remains steadfast in our commitment to serving the best interests of Ghanaians, our clients and the communities we operate in.