The gesture formed part of the Bank’s contribution to the national programme to combat the spread and adverse impact of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the country and its citizens.

The COVID-19 National Trust Fund; a Public Trust was established and inaugurated on the 29th of March, 2020 by the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to receive contributions from the public.

The contributions aimed at helping government to meet the welfare needs of the vulnerable and needy in the country, especially during the period of restriction on movement of persons in the Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Areas.

According to a statement from NIB to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Samuel Sarpong, the Managing Director (MD) of NIB, presenting the cheque to the Trustees, explained that the support was to make it possible for government to roll out its COVID-19 eradication strategy.

“The presentation is unique because the amount is from individual contributions by the Board of Directors, Management and staff of the Bank. We believe this will go a long way to help bring some relief to the needy in these very difficult times,” he said.

Mr. Sarpong emphasised that NIB as a corporate entity had also contributed to the GH¢ 10 million COVID-19 Response Fund established by the Ghana Association of Bankers.

Madam Sophia Akuffo, the immediate past Chief Justice and Chairperson of the COVID-19 Board of Trustees, expressed her profound gratitude to NIB for the kind gesture.

She said: “I am not the least surprised that NIB is making such a generous donation. NIB is one of the most reliable and trusted indigenous banks in Ghana. My assurance to you is that, the money will be used for its intended purpose. On behalf of government and members of the Trustees we say Thank You.”

In the company of the MD to do the presentation, the statement said, were the Deputy Managing Director Mr Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo; and President of the Professional and Managerial Staff Union, Mr Michael Naah Davies.