Mr. Olatunji (MD) and Mr. Beecham (Board Chairman) during the meeting In keeping with regulations for listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) amidst the restrictions on public gathering due to COVID-19, Access Bank Ghana has led the way by holding its 12 th Annual General Meeting through a virtual platform for its shareholders.
The virtual AGM was held to consider and adopt the Statement of Accounts for the year ended December 31, 2019 at the Access Bank Head Office in Accra.
Shareholders joined the virtual meeting via a dedicated link and unique password. Making use of a chat room feature and vote button on the broadcast screen, shareholders were able to participate successfully in the meeting. The Bank also provided a dedicated USSD short code as an option to enable shareholders partake in voting procedures.
At the meeting, shareholders commended the Bank for the approach it has taken to ensure the meeting was held for the satisfaction of all stakeholders as Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has put an embargo on physical AGMs being held in response to the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
The shareholders also applauded the Bank for its sterling performance for the year under review and encouraged management and staff to keep up the good work even as the country steers through the pandemic.
Board Chairman of Access Bank Ghana, Frank Beecham, in his remarks said that the Bank’s performance in 2019 was of significant progress, with a much improved operating profit and major achievements in terms of business reorganisation.
Looking at highlights of the past financial year, Access Bank delivered a 206% growth in profit for the year of GH¢220 million from GH¢72 million in 2018, though Gross Earning increased by a slower rate to GH¢626 million from GH¢544 million.
Total Assets witnessed a growth of 33% to GH¢4.7 billion from GH¢3.5 billion in 2018, while Customer Deposits increased to GH¢3 billion from GH¢2.5 billion in 2018, strengthening its resolve to build a very formidable wholesale and retail banking franchise.
Mr. Beecham stated that the Board was unable to recommend the payment of dividends to shareholders as it was duty-bound to uphold prudential guidelines from the regulator in respect of effects of the novel corona virus pandemic.
He was however confident that the decision of the board will enable the Bank deal adequately with issues emerging from the pandemic.
“Even though the COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat to global economic growth, your bank […]