By Olimatou Coker
Yonna Forex Bureau, being one of the biggest money transfer services in The Gambia with 49 branches across the country, Monday 7 May 2018 concluded a two-day official branch opening in rural Gambia.
The new branches were opened in four different places in the provinces, namely Niani Karantaba, Kunting, Kudang, and Bwiam in West Coast Region.
Niani Karantaba was the first branch opened and the ceremony was graced by high profile dignitaries at a colourful occasion in Karantaba.
Speaking at the ceremony, the head of finance department, Momodou Barrow, said Yonna Foreign Exchange Bureau is the leading financial company operating in the country.
“We have been in operation for ten years and we think is necessary to come to the rural areas to provide financial services to the door steps of people over here because we notice that people in the rural areas find it very difficult to get access to their transfers. That’s why we thought is necessary to come over and provide these facilities to you,” he said.
Mr Barrow urged the villagers to work hand in glove in order to support the bureau’s operation while urging them to take ownership of the company, adding that it is providing a valuable service to them.
The compliance officer of Yonna Forex Bureau, Lamin F. Ceesay, clarified that Yonna is just a money transfer service but not a bank that people can be saving their money or to take loan.
Mr Ceesay advised the villagers to always provide their valid cards at all times when they need the services of the financial institution.
The Alkalo of Kunting village, Alhagie Conateh, thanked Yonna Forex Bureau for their laudable efforts in giving the village what they have been looking for ages.
Officer in charge of Sibanor police station, Lamin Ndow, while speaking at the Bwian ceremony, said: “I am very much delighted for such a wonderful effort that the Yonna Forex Bureau has done in helping the people of Bwiam and its surrounding villages by bringing Forex Bureau to the door steps of the Foninkas.”
OC Ndow urged the villagers to be very vigilant in terms of securing the place. He said the police should not be the only people in charge of securing the country but people as well because the more vigilant they are the safer the bureau becomes.
Other speakers included the Alkalo of Niani Karantaba, Bunja Touray, Alkalo of Bwiam village, Pa Nyassi, the Village Development Committee (VDC) Chairperson Ousman Bojang of Bwiam village and Fatou Dampha, the customer care officer and Ebrima Ba, business development officer.
From Niani Karantaba, the team proceeded to other places were similar ceremonies have been held all meant to ease the burden on rural Gambians in their financial transactions.
