Access Bank (Ghana) Limited has partnered Stratcomm Africa and Ghana Trust to organize the first ever Ghana Garden and Flower Fair in Accra. The Flower and Garden fair was held at the Efua Sutherland Park from the August 29 to September 1. The fair, which was under the theme “Sustainable Gardening in Ghana”, explored new ways of using horticulture as a tool for employment and income generation. The event was also used to educate the public on the benefits of environmental beautification and provide the necessary drive needed to implement the national gardening policy. Thousands of visitors and participants thronged the fair grounds to listen to World renowned Horticulturist Keith Edward Kirsten, also known as "South Africa's favourite gardener", who was the key facilitator for the event. A Conference and Workshops on variety of topics including a ‘National Sustainable Gardening Policy’, ‘Gardens and Flowers for Jobs and Income Generation’, Gardens and Flowers for Beauty and Health, were held for industry players on the sidelines of the Fair. Speaking at the fair in Accra, the Head of Corporate Communications at Access Bank Ghana, Matilda Asante-Asiedu, indicated the Bank’s readiness to support initiatives and programmes that will make the environment more conducive for individuals and businesses operating in Ghana. She noted that the bank's support was in line with Access Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy which is also reflected in the manner in which the Bank conducts its business operations in Ghana and beyond. “If well developed, the horticulture sector can contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth by helping to create employment and diversifying its revenue streams through export”, Mrs. Asante-Asiedu stated. She mentioned countries such as Kenya in East Africa, whose vibrant horticulture industry accounts for more than 3% of their GDP. “We are not far from reaching this height, given the favourable weather conditions that we enjoy across the country”, she remarked. She concluded by calling on both public and private sector leaders to encourage professionals in this sector whilst making meaningful investments towards the sector’s development. As an environmentally friendly institution, Access Bank Ghana continues to lead the way in responsible and innovative business practises. The Bank’s Environmental and Social Risk Policy for instance ensures that all lending decisions include considerations of the impacts of clients’ activities on biodiversity, deforestations as well as air and water pollution. This policy is reinforced by the Bank’s “Going Green” initiative recently launched to track, report and manage its environmental footprint performance. In implementing this initiative, Access Bank has automated its basic banking operations and processes to reduce cumbersome paperwork and wastage. It has also begun a process of discontinuing hard copy printed statements to save million of trees being cut down. Customers of the Bank are now advised to use “Electronic Statements” which are delivered through their personal emails. As a Group, the Bank has further demonstrated its commitment by becoming a signatory to the Equator Principles and a member of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative. Over the last four years, Access Bank has displayed a strong commitment to health, education, environment and social improvement issues by leveraging its people and financial resources to invest in various projects across the country. These contributions together with its financial performance and business expansion have contributed to the Bank being adjudged winner of several industry awards including: 2012 Best Growing Bank in Ghana, 2010 Most Socially responsible Bank, 2010 Best Bank in Agric Financing, 2010 – 1st runner up in Financial Performance Currently, Access Bank is one of the largest banks in Ghana operating across 39 office locations. It has presence in 8 other African countries and operation in the United Kingdom (UK).