The Board Chairman of Brakwa Breman Rural Bank (BBRB), Mr Alexander Koomson, has expressed gratitude to the founders, dedicated staff, loyal customers and the community for their trust and support driving the Bank's success story. He was speaking at a durbar to commemorate the celebration of the Bank's 40th Anniversary at its head office at Brakwa, a community in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (AOB) District of the Central Region. The event was an opportunity for the management of the bank to reaffirm its commitment to its guiding principles of integrity, transparency, and dedication to meet the financial desires of its community. A total of 50 persons, including promoters, founders, women in development groups who started the bank, ex-directors and the Chief Executive Officer with largest deposit and shares with the bank were awarded at the events for their immense contribution to the success story. Mr Koomson stated that while celebrating the 40th Anniversary, they must recommit themselves to the ideals whi ch defined them as a Rural Bank and forge ahead with confidence into a future filled with promise and prosperity. He said 40 years ago, a group of visionaries came together to mobilise finances with the aim of empowering their community and amidst challenges, laid the foundation, which had become a beacon of hope and support for their people. Mr Koomson named the promoters of the bank as Mr Emmanuel Kingsley Aye Obeng (Snr), Mr Peter P. Kofi Fosu, Mr Emmanuel Stephen Brakye, Mr Johnson Ofori, Madam Mercy Fuah all of blessed memory. He said they mobilised shares throughout the AOB District and beyond after mooting the idea to establish a Rural Bank. According to him starting from the early 1980s, the required total share capital base of GHc12.50, in current terms (C125, 000.00) was raised. He informed the gathering that Brakwa Breman Rural Bank was granted Business Commencement Certificate on August 4, 1983, by Bank of Ghana and the Registrar Generals Department. 'We are happy to have one of the pioneeri ng working team members of the bank, Nana Osafori III, the current Odikro of Brakwa (formerly known as Mr Solomon Kofi Dede), here.' 'He collaborated so dutifully with the late Emmanuel Kingsley Aye Obeng (Snr), in shares mobilization efforts during the set up of the Bank,' he stated. Mr Koomson further noted that over the years, they had weathered economic storms, embraced technological advancement, and adapted to the changing regulatory landscape to provide their customers good financial services which have catalysed growth, uplifted livelihoods, and built a stronger, more resilient community. On achievements, he said their prudent financial management, unwavering commitment to customer service and community-centric approach have set them apart to flourish and expand their reach and impact. On finances of the Bank, Mr Koomson announced that in 2019, the bank's net profit before tax was 42,076.00, GHc101,977.00 in 2020, GHc363,580.00 in 2021 and GHc421,276.00 in 2022. By November ending 2023, the net pr ofit before tax stood at GHc1,100,000.00. 'We have a vision in future where our bank will play a pivotal role in sustainable development, fostering entrepreneurship and contributing to the overall well-being of our community and beyond as we envisage to have our presence at places like Kasoa, Akim Oda and Mankessim,' he added. Mr Felix Dompreh, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank stated in his address that he was filled with profound sense of pride as he reflected on the journey that had brought them to that significant point. He expressed gratitude to all the customers, stakeholders and community members who had been instrumental in the bank's success saying their trust and support were the driving force behind their achievements and they were grateful for their partnership. The President of Rural Banks Association was among others who presented their solidarity messages to the bank. Later a cake was cut to symbolise the celebration. Source: Ghana News Agency Health care workers in Homa Bay have threatened to down their tools if the County Government fails to solve issues that affect them. They have decried the fact that despite tabling their grievances to their employer, nothing has been done and have therefore given a 7-day ultimatum before they go on strike. Grievances which they demanded to be resolved include salary delays, non-confirmation of employment, withdrawal of some members from the payroll without notice and stagnation among other pertinent issues. The healthcare workers and union officials are drawn from different cadres within the county health department including the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dieticians (KUND), Kenya National Union for Medical Laboratory Officers (KNULO), Union of Health Records and Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) representing doctors. Speaking on Saturday, the unionists said that some health care workers were withdrawn from the payroll last year August without prior notice and have not been reinstated back into the system. Led by KNUN branch Secretary Emerdick Otieno, they also pointed out that some of them have stagnated in one job group for almost 10 years. 'The county government deemed it fit to remove them from the payroll and notify them one month after. In fact, the notice stopping their salaries came in August which is against labor laws,' he said and demanded for their immediate reinstatement. The KNUN Secretary added that the county should further clear the arrears for the months the employees went without their salaries. He also lamented stagnation in one job group which he claimed is demoralizing them in dispensing their duties. Otieno urged the County Government to promote healthcare workers who have stagnated in one job group for over three years, in accordance with Human Resource guidelines. 'We want to tell the county government that promotion is a motivational factor and hence we want ou r members to be promoted as they deserve,' said Otieno. On the other hand, KMPDU County Liaison Officer Dr Ochieng Otana expressed the union's dissatisfaction with the way Human Resource issues are handled within the health department citing chronic salary delays. 'Some members were employed by the county for some time now but have not been confirmed yet. They have not been issued with letters of confirmation which means there are some benefits that they are missing out on,' he said. Otana said the issues raised affect not only their morale but service delivery and called for a satisfactory resolution soonest. The issues we have raised require urgent intervention by the county government. If we do not get a satisfactory resolution then we are going to call on our members to down their tools until such a time when our demands are met,' he said. Source: Kenya News Agency
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