Ecobank Ghana and Enterprise Tustees yesterday signed a partnership agreement, introducing the first ever pension-backed mortgage loan and short term credit facility in Ghana. Under this partnership, Enterprise Trustees will make available to workers, whose pension funds reside at Enterprise, a package that enables them to attract pension-backed mortgages and short-term loan facilities from Ecobank. This comes as a huge relief to workers, who are now assured of securing decent custom-built homes, which will be fully paid for, ahead of their retirement, assuring them of peace and comfort in their old age.

In his welcome message, Mr. Joseph Ampofo, Managing Director of Enterprise Trustees, said; “This is a collaboration between two industry giants, Ecobank Ghana and Enterprise Trustees, with a common shared value of Excellence. We will certainly be guided by this, as we work together for the betterment of Ghanaian workers, who can now own homes through this unique mortgage solution offered under this partnership agreement. Among other features, we guarantee beneficiaries under this scheme a 100% financing arrangement, once they have a minimum of 20% of the mortgage sum in their Tier 3 pension funds. As we play our fiduciary role as Trustees, clients of Enterprise Trustees pension schemes should rest assured we have their full interest at heart, and this is another addition to the exciting value we create for you in reaching your desired advantage”.

Mr Ampofo concluded by calling on the media to help spread the benefits to be unlocked from long-term savings and investments, as evidenced under Tier 2 & 3 Pension Schemes. He also encouraged both formal and informal workers to fully subscribe to provident & personal pension schemes to enable them realise more positive retirement outcomes.
On his part, the Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Mr. Daniel Sackey said; “There is a growing demand globally for excellent and reliable customer-friendly financial services across various customer segments and channels, making it imperative for corporate institutions to customise their products and services to suite these segments. It is for this reason that Ecobank continues to seek various ways to leverage technology and strategic partnerships to satisfy the market opportunity We therefore see this Ecobank-Enterprise Trustees partnership agreement signing ceremony ascoming at an opportune time for our joint institutions to make a significant and meaningful contribution towards helping Ghana to reduce its ever-growing housing deficit”.

He made reference to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, who he quoted as declaring that Ghana’s housing deficit is now in excess of 2 million housing units, affecting about 60% of the country’s population who would require some form of government assistance to access affordable housing. He further indicated that 35% of the affected population would not be able to access homes even with government support through ubsidies, hence the need to rally support from private sector institutions.

Mr Sackey in addition stated t; “It is for this reason that we see today’s signing ceremony as marking a significant mile stone in the history of Ghana. Under this partnership agreement, Enterprise Trustees will make available to all workers, whose pension funds reside at Enterprise, a package that enables them to attract mortgages from Ecobank with zero down payments. The bank will therefore disburse these mortgage loans to the beneficiaries, who will make monthly instalment payments over a fifteen-year period. Additionally, the beneficiaries can attract short term loans from Ecobank, which will be paid back over 3 years. I therefore take this opportunity to encourage every Ghanaian worker to take advantage of the opportunity being offered today to acquire decent home as well as access funding they may require for other important projects Every Ghanaian deserves an affordable decent home and to also enjoy access to funding, as and when required ”.

Officials of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority, led by Mr Emmanuel Abrokwa, the Manager for Standards and Compliance , was delighted with the partnership, and described it as innovative and timely, as it will help address the longterm needs of the average Ghanaian worker. He therefore encouraged all workers to take immediate adavantage of this exciting packeage on offer.