Traders at Kotokuraba jubilate over restoration of GN Bank's licence

Traders at the Kotokuraba Central Business District in Cape Coast welcomed the Court of Appeal's decision to restore GN Bank's licence after its revocation by the Bank of Ghana some seven years ago. The traders were visibly relieved and said it would help stabilise the operations of small and medium-sized enterprises and restore confidence in local lending services. They said the licence restoration would reopen essential banking services, revive credit lines previously relied on by small businesses and ease cash-flow constraints that had hampered trade during the bank's regulatory difficulties.

Madam Efua Agyapong, a second-generation textile trader at Kotokuraba, said GN Bank's quick microloans kept her business afloat during quiet months and that the bank gave her a short loan the same day she requested it when she needed money to bring new fabrics from Accra. Madam Fatimatu Iddrisu, a sanitary items seller, praised the bank's understanding of local commerce and its faster turnaround on small loans compared with larger banks. Mr. Daniel Mensah, who operates a provision and rice shop, recalled that he had relied on GN Bank's overdraft to buy bulk rice to boost his business. Mrs. Akosua Darko, a frozen-fish seller, highlighted the convenience of GN Bank's mobile and branch services, collecting daily 'susu' and paying suppliers without long queues.

The traders urged GN Bank and regulators to ensure a smooth, transparent resumption of services, so customers could promptly regain access to deposits, loans and payment services. They saw the court's decision as evidence that regulatory and legal processes could correct disruptive outcomes and help restore customer confidence and normal trading rhythms.