Fidelity Bank Ghana, the largest privately-owned bank in the country, has been acknowledged for its remarkable contributions to agricultural lending in Ghana.
The bank received two prestigious awards from the Ghana Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Project (GIRSAL), being recognized as the Most Responsive Partner Financial Institution of the Year and achieving the Highest Staff Participation in GIRSAL’s Agricultural and Agribusiness Finance Training Programme.
The collaboration between Fidelity Bank and GIRSAL, which commenced in July 2019, has markedly enhanced the bank’s presence in the agricultural sector. This partnership has seen the bank offer guarantees and technical expertise on a case-by-case basis, leading to the development of a strong Agric portfolio.
Fidelity Bank has actively supported different stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem, encompassing input providers, primary producers, aggregators, processors, and exporters. Leveraging GIRSAL’s expertise, the bank has successfully navigated challenges, providing funding totaling GHS135 million across diverse value chains in the sector.
Fidelity Bank’s recognition as the Most Responsive Partner Financial Institution of the Year underscores the bank’s unwavering commitment to agility and proactive issue resolution. This commitment was notably demonstrated during the Akosombo Dam spillage last year, where the bank promptly collaborated with GIRSAL to offer vital assistance to affected clients.
Fidelity Bank’s swift response, driven by extensive industry insight and seamless cooperation with GIRSAL’s technical expertise, guaranteed swift and effective support for its clients, cementing its reputation as a dependable partner in addressing unforeseen challenges.
Furthermore, Fidelity Bank’s unparalleled commitment to continuous learning and skill development sets a benchmark in the sector. This commitment is evident through the bank’s exceptional participation in GIRSAL’s training programs, with over 120 staff members, including credit officers and relationship managers, gaining specialized expertise in agribusiness finance. Fidelity has clearly prioritized investments in its workforce’s capabilities, showcasing a dedication to fostering expertise within its team.
Fidelity Bank’s commitment to upskilling has yielded a highly knowledgeable and capable team, poised to offer the most informed and effective support to agribusiness clients.
This unwavering dedication to employee development has earned Fidelity the well-deserved accolade of the ‘Highest Staff Participation in GIRSAL’s Agricultural and Agribusiness Finance Training Programme.’
This recognition solidifies Fidelity Bank’s leadership in cultivating a skilled and empowered workforce, making significant contributions to the growth and development of the agricultural sector.
Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Julian Opuni, expressed gratitude for the recognition and reiterated the bank’s commitment to collaborating with GIRSAL in fostering positive change. Opuni affirmed, “We are committed to growing the agriculture sector to ensure that, as an indigenous bank, Fidelity will be at the forefront of impacting the agriculture sector,” he stated. He reaffirmed Fidelity Bank’s dedication to doing more, emphasising the potential within agriculture cannot be underestimated.