For years, Ama Adjeiwaa has built her livelihood around food. From preparing banku and rice balls to serving a variety of local soups, her food business, Efie Nkwan, has become a reliable source of income not only for herself but also for the nine people she employs.

Like many small business owners, however, sustaining and growing the business came with constant financial pressure. Purchasing ingredients in bulk, managing daily operational costs, and keeping the business running smoothly often depended on whether enough capital was available at the right time.

That began to change when Ama accessed support through the Adwuma Nkoso loan product offered by Atwima Kwanwoma Community Bank PLC under the FIRST+II program.

Introduced to the bank by a friend in December 2026, Ama applied for the loan during one of the busiest periods of the year. Despite the seasonal pressure, her application was processed within a few weeks, giving her timely access to the capital she needed to stabilize her business operations.

For Ama, the support was not just about receiving a loan. It was also about receiving guidance on how to use it responsibly.

“The loan officers explained to me that if I mismanage the funds, I would be the one at a loss because I wouldn’t be able to pay back, so I needed to use the money for its intended purpose,” she recalls.

Following that advice has helped her improve both her financial discipline and business management. Rather than diverting the funds into unrelated expenses, Ama focused on strengthening her working capital so she could consistently purchase goods with cash instead of relying on credit.

“It has always been my desire to trade with my own capital because I dislike buying things on credit when I go to the market,” she says. “The loan has been very helpful. I feel so relieved because there is no pressure on me.”

The structure of the repayment process has also worked well for her business. By making small daily repayments, sometimes even late at night after closing work, Ama has been able to stay on track without falling behind.

Her commitment to timely repayment has strengthened her confidence in managing financing and positioned her for future opportunities to grow the business further.

Today, Ama is already thinking about the next stage of expansion, including upgrading aspects of her operations gradually and sustainably. While she remains careful not to overstretch the current loan beyond its intended purpose, she sees access to finance as an important stepping stone toward long-term business growth.

Beyond the impact on her own enterprise, Ama’s experience is influencing others around her. She now shares her experience with customers and encourages other entrepreneurs to explore formal financial support to strengthen their businesses.

Through support provided under the FIRST+II program, stories like Ama’s highlight how access to responsible financing, combined with practical financial guidance, can help small businesses build stability, create jobs, and grow with confidence.

For Ama Adjeiwaa, access to finance did not simply provide capital. It provided breathing room, structure, and the confidence to keep building.

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