Barely one year after launching its unique Women Initiative, “W”, Access Bank has enhanced its bouquet of women-focused products and services with a scheme to support them achieve their dreams of motherhood.

Known as the Maternal Health Support Scheme (MHSS), the scheme has been specially designed to help families overcome the financial challenges associated with fertility treatments by offering a range concessionary loans to access local and international expert medical advice and specialist procedures such as IVF Treatment. Other procedures include natal support, myomectomy (fibroid removal), hysterectomy (uterus removal), dental, bariatric and orthopedic.

Speaking on the benefits of Access Bank’s “W”, the Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, Mr. Dolapo Ogundimu noted that “W” is the first banking solution that allows an entire family to bank and benefit together, while also operating their individual accounts.

He stated: “Too often, the role of women on the continent is grossly under-represented and Access Bank is using “W” to push for the empowerment of women to foster greater economic development. Our financial assistance to women who aspire to be mothers, is one of the many ways in which we are supporting many families to achieve their dreams”.

Explaining aspects of the Maternal Health Support Scheme, the Head of Exclusive Banking at Access Bank Ghana, Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu stated: For women who want to get pregnant, the process and its complications take a toll on their state of mind and physical health as well as their financial wellbeing. Though there are several fertility treatments, many of these women seeking medical procedures are financially constrained. What Access Bank is offering with our Maternal Health Support Scheme is to be the financial partner that helps you concentrate on achieving your aspirations.”

The scheme, which was initially unveiled in Nigeria and replicated in Rwanda and other markets in Africa where Access Bank operates, has recorded tremendous success.

Existing and prospective women customers of Access Bank in Ghana or their partners interested in benefiting from the “W” Maternal Health Support Scheme can visit any of the Bank’s locations across the country and pick up a form to sign up. Alternatively, interested persons can visit the Bank’s website www.ghana.accessbankplc.com to download an account opening and the Maternal Health Support Scheme forms.

Launched in March 2015, the “W” Initiative is a key component of Access Bank’s financial inclusion drive which makes available to women, specialised bundled products and services to support them in their quest at growing their businesses, improving their family wellbeing and general lifestyle goals.

The initiative was recently adjudged “Outstanding Banking Initiative” for 2015 in the product and service category at the 3rd National Women in Finance Magazine Awards. The Bank also emerged winner for the Women’s Market Champion 2015 Award at the 14^th Annual Summit of the Global Banking Alliance (GBA) for Women in Sao Paulo, Brazil. These were as a result of several roadshows, capacity building workshops and the training of over 5,000 women to equip them with requisite skills and knowledge to succeed.

Through the ‘W’ initiative, Access Bank has demonstrated its unique understanding of the needs of women. Supported with an online platform known as the ‘W’ Community, Access Bank’s ‘W’ also provides a social community and platform for sharing ideas, networking events plus much more to help women enjoy their lifestyle.