The Chief Executive Officer of Juaben Rural Bank PLC, Mr. Noble Augustine Awere Damoah, has issued a strong caution to the public against the risky practice of keeping large sums of money at home, urging citizens to cultivate the habit of banking to safeguard their finances.
He made the remarks at the official commissioning of a newly built ultramodern training centre at the bank’s headquarters in Juaben in the Ashanti Region. According to Mr. Damoah, one of the most pressing challenges facing individuals in both urban and rural areas is the threat of armed robbery and theft due to storing money in unsecured locations.
“Keeping your money at home is not safe,” he emphasized. “We continue to hear heartbreaking stories of people losing their life savings to armed robbers or fires simply because they refused to save their money in a secure bank. It is time Ghanaians begin to trust and utilize the banking system for their financial security and peace of mind.”
Mr. Damoah highlighted the importance of financial literacy and encouraged Ghanaians—especially traders, farmers, small business owners, and market women—to open accounts and make regular deposits as a way of building a strong financial foundation. He reiterated that banking offers not only security but also access to financial services such as loans, investments, and savings opportunities that can improve livelihoods.
He explained that the newly commissioned training centre is part of the bank’s long-term vision to improve the competence and professionalism of its staff. “We have invested in this facility to ensure that our staff are constantly updated with the latest knowledge and skills in banking so they can serve customers better,” he said.
In addition to training staff, Mr. Damoah revealed that the centre would also serve as a skills hub for the youth in Juaben and nearby communities. He noted that the bank plans to organize periodic workshops and training programs aimed at empowering young people with entrepreneurial and financial management skills to reduce unemployment and boost local development.
The commissioning ceremony also saw the presence of the Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank PLC, Mr. Alex Kwasi Awuah, who commended Juaben Rural Bank for the initiative. Mr. Awuah used the platform to raise concern about the alarming rate of forest destruction in Ghana due to illegal mining and tree felling. He urged Ghanaians to support the fight against environmental degradation by planting trees annually and embracing sustainability.
Board Chairman of Juaben Rural Bank, Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso, lauded the CEO and the entire management team for their visionary leadership in setting up the training centre. He described the project as a game-changer that will improve staff efficiency and service delivery, while also providing the youth with practical knowledge for future employment.
The commissioning event attracted stakeholders from the rural banking sector, traditional leaders, youth groups, and residents of Juaben, who welcomed the initiative as a major boost to local economic development. Many praised the leadership of Juaben Rural Bank for going beyond banking to promote security, education, and community empowerment.
By Alexander Nti (Despite Media)
