As part of its objective to promote art, Access Bank Ghana has initiated a project to unearth and nurture talents in visual arts amongst basic school pupils.

The initiative dubbed: “Promoting Art through Innovation,” is to help identify, nurture, and support pupils with visual arts talent to hone their skills through school competitions.

Under the initiative, pupils from 15 basic schools in Accra were invited to paint on the thematic areas of Birthdays, Weddings, Christmas, Childbirth and Valentine’s Day.

Pupils from the St Martins De Porres School at Dansoman and Morning Star in Cantonments took up the challenge and presented a total of 73 entries.

The three top art pieces in all the five categories were rewarded by the Bank with award of certificates.

Presenting the awards to the winners the Managing Director of Access Bank, Dolapo Ogundimu, said: “We at Access Bank are of the firm belief that the extra attention paid to the talents exhibited by our kids will motivate and inspire them to be the Glover’s and Da Vince’s of our time.

“This initiative will further associate the bank closely with organisations that dedicate themselves to socially responsible missions to inspire children to cultivate critical thinking and creativity.”

Mr Ogundimu encouraged the children to be committed to develop themselves through continuous practice and activities that challenge them to bring their best effort to bear.

All 73 participating pupils were awarded with the Bank’s Early Savers Account, a unique kid’s account for children below 18 years, with an open balance of GH? 50.00. The Early Savers account allows parents to save for their unborn and young children while giving each child the opportunity to save for a bright future.

In addition, certificate of participation were rewarded to both the pupils and schools who took up the competition.

Three winners were declared from five thematic areas with one outstanding winner.

The first prize winners for the thematic areas of Birthdays, Christmas, Wedding, Childbirth and Valentine’s Day were Nana Asiedu Akori, Eric Osei Sarpong, Benedict Tsiquaye, Myma Tamakloe and Ekow Hammond.

Each proud winner was awarded with full membership to the Bank’s Early Savers Club; an Account opening balance of GH?250.00 and GH?500.00 worth of Art supplies from Acrilex.

The 2nd Prize winners, Michelle Morrison, Kendra Awuku, Pierrette Asantewaa Oduro, Abena Nkansah Agyemang Duah and Kwasi Sarpong Brako also received full membership to the Bank’s Early Savers Club; an Account open balance of GH? 250.00 each and GH?200.00 worth of Art supplies from Acrilex for each participant.

Awura Abena Asantewaa Fordwuo, Michael Dake, Naa Dromo Adjedu- Amartefio, Nathalia Enam Gbesemele and Senanu Addey-Botchie were the 3rd Prize winners and received full membership to the Bank’s Early Savers Club; Account open balance of GH?250.00 and GH?100.00 worth of Art supplies from Acrylex.

In addition, Princess Acolatse a pupil from the St Martin’s De Porres School was awarded 1st prize winner for an outstanding Art Piece. She took home GH? 500.00 worth of Art supplies from Acrilex; Certificate of participation and a special Christmas gift. Similarly, all participating Schools were awarded with a GH?1000 worth of Art supplies from Acrilex.

To inspire these children to appreciate art, the creative pieces from St Martins De Porres and Morning Star Schools, who have actively embraced this initiative, would be used to design the Bank’s greeting cards for customers and staff.

All sixteen winners also had the privilege of participating in the Banks End of Year kids’ party on December 14 at the Accra Polo Club.

The Early Savers account allows parents to save for their unborn and young children while giving each child the opportunity to save for a bright future.

Over the years, Access Bank Ghana has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable business practices driving profitable, sustainable growth that is also environmentally responsible and socially relevant.

The Bank has committed resources to improve wellbeing in key areas such as education, health, art, environment and social improvement across several communities in Ghana.

These contributions together with its financial performance and business expansion have contributed to the Bank being adjudged winner of several industry awards including: Ghana Banking Awards, Winner, 2013 Bank of the Year Award and Winner, 2013 Best Bank in Corporate Social Responsibility.

The rest are: Winner, 2012 Best Growing Bank, Winner, 2010 Best Bank in Corporate Social Responsibility and Winner, 2010 Best Bank in Agriculture Finance

The 2013 Top Emerging Brand-Premier Brands and 3rd Most Respected Bank in Ghana-Ghana Club 100 Awards.