Abstract:
Up to 1963, there were five main banks providing credit for economic activities in Ghana. These banks were mostly in the urban centers with specialized operations from that of many rural dwellers. Rural dwellers were known to be relatively poor and could not provide the collaterals that were needed by these banks and were therefore denied access to credit. Rural banks were therefore set up to catalyze rural development and serve as institutional vehicles for poverty reduction in various rural communities.
Description:
The inadequate supply of credit is a major constraint to production in many developing countries. Making credit available, particularly to rural dwellers is thus considered essential to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth. According to Ayeh (2001), although informal credit markets operate widely in rural areas, many lenders typically give very high interest rates thus inhibiting the rural people from investing in productive income-generating activities. To curb this problem however, Agriculture Development Bank, National Investment Bank and Ghana Commercial Bank among others were established to mobilize and provide credit for rural development activities in the country.
