We will help put economy on path of recovery — Barclays MD assures

Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana Ltd, Mrs. Patience Akyianu, has assured government that the bank will continue to offer its support in order to put the country’s economy on the path of recovery and growth.

Speaking on the first day of the Ghana Economic Forum in Accra, Mrs. Akyianu said her outfit remains committed to supporting government’s agenda to spur growth and provide prosperity for citizens, hence, a deliberate strategy has been put in place by the bank to help realise this goal.

“We have a clear strategy in Ghana that is designed with you and Ghana in mind; and we remain focused on executing that strategy for our shared prosperity… I would like to reassure you of our shared growth promise and commitment to creating shared value for our communities and businesses.

Our destiny is Ghana and our business is one of shared prosperity. We look forward to building a future together as we continue to help our customers and clients and their business to prosper,” she said.

Even though the macroeconomic environment has been unstable for the past few years, with debt to GDP ratio hitting 73 percent in 2016, lending rates being in the region of 30-35 percent averagely, and government missing its revenue target in the first half of the year, Mrs. Akyianu expressed optimism that better times are ahead for the economy.

“We look forward to the day when ordinary people in Ghana can raise credit at below 10 percent interest. We will continue to offer products and services that enable individuals achieve their personal and family aspirations.

We will continue to do transactions that ensure there is power to fuel industries and light up homes. We will continue to play a leading role in developing and deepening the bond and capital markets in Ghana so that our clients can raise funding competitively and manage your risks effectively,” she said.

The Ghana Economic Forum is a two-day programme themed: ‘Building a Ghanaian Owned Economy; 60 years after independence,’ and has Barclays Bank as its lead sponsor.

The forum seeks to bring together over 500 chief executives, investors, policy analysts, and entrepreneurs to facilitate dialogue between the private and public sector.

The event has been taking a critical look at energy, agriculture, entrepreneurship and innovation, the financial management reforms, and other areas crucial to the development of the economy of Ghana.

The forum, which ends today, is further debating whether the nature of the Ghanaian economy and the current development framework allow citizens to be in the driving seat and manage their own affairs.