The launch which took place on Friday, April 25, at the official residence of the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Hüseyin Güngör saw members of the diplomatic Corp, the business community, policymakers, government officials and Access bank officials touting the significance of the Desk.

Access Bank Ghana is the first in Ghana to create dedicated desks for strategic international partners. Notable among these priority desks are the German, Lebanese, Chinese, and now the Turkish Desk.

Explaining the rationale behind the setting up of the Turkish Desk, Executive Director of Wholesale Banking James Bruce, said: “We deeply value Ghana’s role as a strategic partner in Turkey’s “Opening to Africa” policy, and we are proud to be part of the infrastructure that supports this alliance, not just politically, but commercially. The launch of the Turkish Desk marks the formal recognition of a partnership that has been quietly and steadily building between Ghana and Turkey. At Access Bank we have always believed that true banking goes beyond transactions, it is about relationships, shared goals and most importantly it is about creating opportunities for mutual growth for both countries and our customers.”

James Bruce added that this Desk and dedicated service to Turkey will not be limited to Ghana but across the 23 countries across the world where Access Bank operates.

“The presence of Turkish businesses continues to grow and at Access Bank we are ready to grow with them. As a bank we understand that for Turkish businesses exploring new markets, the your needs go beyond capital; you need a partner who understands the terrain, understands your ambitions and can connect the dots between policy and opportunity and this is what our Turkish Desk will deliver,’ he said.

He further encouraged Ghanaian business owners to take advantage of the Turkish Desk to access new markets.

On his part, the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Huseyin Gungor, praised Access Bank Ghana for taking the bold initiative to support businesses from Turkey in the face of the growing trade relations between the two countries.

He said Turkish people have shown to be dynamic, especially when it comes to entrepreneurship.

“Turkish Desk with Access Bank Ghana is a fantastic achievement by any measure. This is why it is my hope that this initiative will grow to the point that it is replicated in other countries where Access Bank operates. There are more than 800 Turkish businesses registered in Ghana, many of them are SME not based just in Accra, they are everywhere. In 2023, we were the second biggest investor in Ghana which is quite an achievement.”

He added that trade volumes between Ghana and Turkey have been hovering around $500m to $700m in the last few years but was optimistic that it could be easily doubled with the right support and policy.

Speaking at the event, CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr. Mary Awusiwho promised to support the Ghana- Turkey partnership and applauded Access Bank Ghana for the initiative.
“We applaud Access Bank for this partnership. This partnership does not only strengthen economic ties but it also paves the way for increased business opportunities, innovation, and joint ventures for mutual benefit. I therefore extend my best wishes to Access Bank and the Turkish embassy in the continued effort to build lasting partnerships that benefits both nations.”

The Turkish Desk is a specialized financial unit within Access Bank Ghana, created to serve as a direct and dedicated bridge between Turkish enterprises and the Ghanaian business ecosystem. It provides bespoke financial solutions tailored specifically for Turkish businesses—those operating in Ghana and those seeking to enter this market.