Hundreds of victims of bankrupt Fanteakwa Rural Bank, established by the opposition New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa North Constituency, Hon. Kwabena Amankwa Asiamah, on Wednesday demonstrated in Koforidua, the Eastern regional Capital with a call on the opposition leader to mount pressure on the MP to refund their huge sums of deposits locked up with the bank.
According to the aggrieved victims, it is strange that, the opposition leader and his party mounted pressure on government over DKM Microfinance defrauding customers and called for a refund of deposits to the swindled customers, yet failed to demand same from their MP whose bank has gone bankrupt.
The demonstrators also want Nana Akufo Addo to come clear on allegation that, their deposits were loaned to fund his campaign in 2012 with the intention of repaying if the NPP had won, a move that led to the collapse of the bank.demo-1
The swindled customers had embarked on series of demonstration in their respective communities where the bank had branches, they however believe the arrival of Nana Akuffo Addo in Koforidua today,is an opportune time to express their grievances.
Fanteakwa Rural Bank which was established in the year 2004 was performing well in the banking industry until after the 2012 elections when the MP allegedly loan the money to the opposition leader, Nana Akuffo-Addo.
The Bank,which had its headquarters in Begoro,had other branches in Koforidua,Osiem,suhum,Anyinam and other parts of the region.It is estimated that, over 1000 customers have been affected by the the collapse of the bank.
The victims mostly farmers, traders, drivers, teachers, festish priests, and small scale miners have been excrutiatingly affected by the collapse of the leading to some deaths, students dropping out of children, and collapse of businesses.
Most of the customers have between five hundred Ghana cedis (GHS500.00) to twenty-seven thousand Ghana cedis (GHS27,000.00) still locked up at the chest of the collapsed bank.
The Anyinam branch alone is reported to owe an amount of four hundred and ninety-five thousand, seven hundred and eighty-one point eighty-three Ghana cedis (GHS495,781.83.00.
The Member of Parliament, for Fanteakwa North, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the collapsed Bank, has denied loaning deposits of the victims to sponsor Nana Akufo Addo campaign as alleged.
According to the MP, it is incorrect that,the bank owes over 1000 customers explaining that, his outfit managed to pay about 78 customers leaving only 116 which he says efforts are being made to pay.
His comments contradicts, one official who was with the bank who tells Kasapa News on condition of anonymity that, the bank still owes over 1000 customers.
He said ,even though some part payments have been made to some of the customers, not all their deposits have been cleared.”the situation is worrying, personally, I am unable to visit some places for fear of embarrassment by the aggrieved customers”.
The MP has also not been able to follow the party campaign in some parts of the region including some communities in his constituency for fear of being attacked by the aggrieved customers.He is reported to have said, the bank would be operation again if NPP wins power.
Nana Akufo Addo,who is touring parts of the region is expected to take his campaign tour to Koforidua today later in the day for vigil night to be led by controversial prophet Owusu Bempah.
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