Access Bank (Ghana) has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to becoming a catalyst for socio-economic development in the country by partnering the Ministry of Youth & Sports to promote Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
At a historic, but brief ceremony held in Accra today, Access Bank, recognised as the Best Growing Bank by the Ghana Banking Awards, partnered the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the creation of a Ghana Village in Brazil during the biggest soccer fiesta in the world.
The Ghana village project according to the Sports Ministry will create a hub in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup to position Ghana as a trade, tourism and investment destination. The support will also be extended to soccer enthusiasts, by making it possible for millions of Ghanaians to catch the World Cup euphoria at various theme parks to be dotted across Ghana.
The Sector Minister, Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, indicated that the partnership with Access Bank is a collaborative effort with the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) and the Ministry of Tourism.
He explains, “This is the third time we are going to the World Cup and we are building on the knowledge and experience of the last two. The World Cup is one of the biggest platforms one can use to market a country; so beyond the football we want to create a Ghanaian village to market Ghana’s investment and tourism potential to the world.”
This gesture by Access Bank is seen my many pundits and industry watchers as timely, as it coincides with a period where Ghana is seeking to reinforce its image as an competitive investment and tourism destination on the international stage.
Explaining the Bank’s support for this initiative, the Managing Director, Dolapo Ogundimu noted that “ As a business, we have a stake in the Ghanaian economy and the World Cup is the biggest platform to project Ghana; therefore we will continue to support initiatives to improve the fortunes of this country. It is my expectation that this gesture will stimulate the desired effect in projecting Ghana as a soccer nation with great potential for investment and tourism”.
Mr. Ogundimu also revealed that Access Bank will be making available its Visa Prepaid cards to the thousands of soccer fans and cheer groups that will be travelling to Brazil.
He concluded by saying: “ With our Visa Prepaid Cards, soccer fans need not worry about how to carry, secure and spend their monies at the World Cup. They only need to load their cedis onto the card and withdraw in Brazilian Real during the tournament ”.
Access Bank in recent times has partnered credible organizations to organize programmes that have a direct impact on the business environment in Ghana, the latest being the “2014 Ghana Economic Forum” and the “2013 Africa Innovation Forum”.
The Bank has over the years also demonstrated its commitment to responsible business practice and social responsibility through initiatives and programmes that focus on education, health, sports, arts & culture and the environment. One of such initiatives is its Employee Volunteering Programme which won it the 2010 Most Socially Responsible Bank of the Year Award.
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