By Zobia Zulfqar 
Awutu EMASA Community Bank has appealed to shareholders, institutions, and members of the public to invest in the bank by purchasing shares as it works to strengthen its capital base and meet new regulatory requirements set by the Bank of Ghana.
The appeal was made by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Mrs. Gifty Dinah Brown, during the bank’s 35th Annual Stakeholders’ Durbar held at Awutu Bereku in the Awutu Senya West District.
Mrs. Brown said increasing the bank’s capital base is necessary to meet the Bank of Ghana’s requirement for community banks to raise their stated capital from GH¢1 million to GH¢5 million.
She explained that stronger capital would improve the bank’s financial position, support long term sustainability, and enable it to expand services to customers and businesses within its operating communities.
According to her, buying shares is one of the most effective ways stakeholders can contribute to the continued growth and stability of the bank while also becoming part owners of the institution.
The annual stakeholders’ meeting was organised to present the bank’s performance for the year under review and provide shareholders with updates on its financial position, achievements, and future plans.
Mrs. Brown said Ghana’s banking sector continues to evolve under the leadership of the Bank of Ghana through reforms designed to improve resilience, transparency, and the protection of depositors’ funds.
As part of these reforms, she explained that all rural banks are being transitioned into community banks. This policy has resulted in the institution changing its name from Awutu EMASA Rural Bank to Awutu EMASA Community Bank.
She noted that the name change reflects broader reforms within Ghana’s banking industry and positions the bank to serve a wider range of customers while maintaining its commitment to community development.
Mrs. Brown acknowledged that the country’s economy continues to face several challenges, including global economic uncertainty, inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and the rising cost of doing business.
She said these conditions have affected households and businesses across Ghana, making it more difficult for financial institutions to operate. Despite these challenges, she said Awutu EMASA Community Bank remained financially stable and continued to record growth during the 2025 financial year.
The Chairperson reported that the bank’s total operating income increased from GH¢6.27 million in 2024 to GH¢8.89 million in 2025. This represents a growth of 41.8 percent.
She attributed the increase to higher interest income from loans and overdrafts, commitment fees, and improved returns on investments.
Operating expenses also increased during the year, rising from GH¢5.43 million in 2024 to GH¢7.98 million in 2025. Mrs. Brown explained that the increase reflected higher operating costs experienced throughout the banking industry.
Despite the rise in expenses, the bank still recorded an improvement in profitability. Profit before tax increased from GH¢840,955 in 2024 to GH¢911,141 in 2025, representing an 8.35 percent increase.
The bank also achieved significant growth in customer deposits. Total deposits rose from GH¢32.6 million in 2024 to GH¢42.88 million in 2025, representing an increase of 31.53 percent.
Mrs. Brown said the strong growth in deposits demonstrates the confidence customers continue to have in the bank despite the difficult economic environment.
She also reported improvements in the bank’s loans and advances portfolio, indicating continued support for individuals, farmers, traders, and small businesses within the communities it serves.
Although investment levels stood at GH¢12.33 million at the end of December 2025 compared with GH¢16.16 million in the previous year, the bank maintained a stable financial position while focusing on sustainable growth.
Mrs. Brown encouraged existing shareholders to increase their investments and urged new investors to purchase shares to help the bank achieve the required capital level.
She said stronger capital would allow the bank to expand lending, improve customer services, invest in technology, and strengthen its ability to support economic development across the Awutu Senya West District and surrounding communities.
She also assured stakeholders that the board and management remain committed to sound corporate governance, prudent financial management, and responsible banking practices.
According to her, the bank will continue to work closely with regulators while introducing measures that improve efficiency, strengthen customer confidence, and create long term value for shareholders.
She concluded by expressing appreciation to customers, shareholders, staff, and community leaders for their continued support, saying their confidence has played an important role in the bank’s steady growth over the years.
Awutu EMASA Community Bank hopes that increased investment through share purchases will provide the financial strength needed to meet regulatory requirements and continue supporting local businesses, farmers, and households with quality banking services for many years to come.
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