The Lakeside Business Centre has thrown a challenge for the establishment of stronger national banks to finance major infrastructural projects.
It comes at a time that Ghana’s banking sector is undergoing cleansing to sanitise the space.
Businesses have complained of the high interest rates regime which they say affects their ability to access credit to expand their operations.
In an interview with Citi Business News, the Director of Lakeside Estate, Alhaji Salah Kweku Kalmoni said the presence of a bank will help in the financing of the businesses.
“We are looking for a strong national bank to set up here because of the nature of the businesses we do not want a small or rural bank, but a bank such as GCB Bank”, he stated.
He added, “In fact we are in close contact with GCB Bank for them to put up an ATM here. Once there is a bank it will secure the monies from the companies here, so the bank will take care of the commercial deposits of the businesses”.
The Lakeside Business Center which was launched on Saturday 25th August, 2018 will serve as the main economic and business center for East Legon and its surrounding areas.
Businesses in the center believe the presence of a bank is necessary to support their operations and also take charge of their finances.
According to Mr. Kalmoni, the bank will also be able to expand its deposits by leveraging on the people in the area.
“Also in Lakeside Estate we have one hundred and ten pay role employees we have contractors who have contractors who have another hundred employees and there are about four thousand citizens here so at least they should be able to open personal accounts for them”.
The Lakeside Business Center is now successfully ninety percent occupied with a pharmacy, provision shop, business and stationery center, Lakeside Satelite Head Office, ICT Programming Company, Fire and Safety Company and upcoming fitness Center.
It is also developing a craft village which will cater for small business, start up and future entrepreneurs.
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By: Anita Arthur/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana