By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Kantamanto fire outbreak victims are said to have breathed a sigh of relief after Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB Bank) rolled out a special loan package for them.
The special loan package forms part of efforts by GCB Bank to support its Micro and small enterprise customers whose businesses were destroyed in the devastating fire.
GCB on Thursday, January 30, 2025, honoured its promise to support victims of the devastating Kantamanto fire outbreak, which razed over 100 shops to ashes and affected more than 30,000 traders, by devoting a GH₵ 3 million loan project to provide relief to the victims.
The bank brought together a group of affected customers to receive the loans after each of them had completed the documentation processes.
Addressing the media after the completion of documentation, on behalf of the Managing Director, Farihan Alhassan, Executive Head of Retail Banking, Mr. Sina Kamagate stated that the support comes in the form of a subsidised loan package of a nine-month payment period, with no payments required in the first three months.
“They have a moratorium of three months. They will start paying from April,” he reiterated.
Mr. Kamagate, in an interaction with some of the victims, shared GCB Bank’s concerns for their welfare and the restoration of their businesses.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all those affected by this tragic incident. As a bank that stands firmly with our community in times of need, we are offering this tailored loan package to provide immediate financial support. We understand the immense challenges you are facing, and we hope that this initiative will help you rebuild your lives, restore your businesses, and regain stability.
“Together, with resilience and determination, we can overcome this adversity and move forward toward a stronger and brighter future. For us at GCB Bank, initiatives like these give true meaning to our brand promise, Your bank for life,” he said.
The Executive Head of Retail Banking assured the victims of the bank’s determination to stand side-by-side with its customers in this difficult time.
He further expressed the bank’s confidence in how the customers will apply the financial support to rebuild their businesses, making them stronger than before.
