Ahantaman Rural Bank PLC has unveiled a six-channel digital banking platform designed to transform service delivery and expand access to financial services across Ghana’s rural communities.
The integrated system gives customers 24/7 access to fast, secure, and convenient banking services.
Bank CEO Benjamin Afful-Eshun said the initiative is part of a wider strategy to position Ahantaman as a leader in digital banking while deepening financial inclusion.
“The platform includes a USSD service that works on all mobile phones, with or without internet access. Customers can perform deposits, withdrawals, and interbank transfers simply by dialing a short code, as long as they have network connectivity,” he explained.
He also highlighted the new Ahantaman Mobile App, which offers a seamless, user-friendly interface for managing accounts and executing transactions on smartphones.
Other key components include Merchant Pay, which allows merchants and mobile money vendors instant access to funds and e-cash payments without visiting a branch, and a QR code payment system for instant payments and direct transfers into merchant accounts.
For businesses, the bank has launched Corporate Pay, a secure internet banking solution that enables companies to process payroll and conduct transactions efficiently at any time.
Touching on the bank’s performance, Mr. Afful-Eshun described 2025 as an exceptional year, even amid declining treasury bill and investment rates across the sector.
He highlighted a strategic pivot towards core lending, launched in 2022, as a key driver of growth.
“We made a conscious decision to prioritise lending to support the local economy rather than rely heavily on investment income,” he said.
The bank has completed its 2025 audit, with financial results expected by the end of the month. Projections indicate nearly a 100% increase in profit before tax. Deposits and other key performance indicators have also seen strong growth.
Mr. Afful-Eshun added that the bank has exceeded the minimum capital requirement set by the Bank of Ghana for rural banks transitioning into community banks, positioning it to become a leading community bank by year-end.
Board Vice Chairman Dominic Cobbinah highlighted the bank’s ongoing digital transformation under the theme “One Bank, One System, Six Channels,” designed to allow customers to transact anytime, anywhere. Plans are also underway to introduce fully digital account opening by the next quarter, aligning with the government’s push toward a cash-lite economy and a stronger digital financial ecosystem.
Board Chairman Rt. Rev. Daniel De-Graft Brace described the investment in digital infrastructure as a demonstration of bold leadership. He noted that the bank has grown from modest beginnings to a modern financial institution with 23 branches across the Western and Central Regions, serving customers nationwide.
“The new platform will enhance financial integration, expand market access, and speed up transactions, ultimately supporting the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as corporate organisations,” he said.