600 benefit from Rural Enterprise Project

Asamankese, Dec 8, GNA - A total of 682 people have benefited from Technology Promotion and Support since the inception of the Rural Enterprise Project (REP) in the West Akyem Municipality in 2006. They comprise 564 males and 48 females who are either master craft persons or apprentices.

Speaking at the opening of the 2009 Clients Exhibition and Trade Show, at Asamankese, the West Akyem Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Seth Otchere, said a total of 806 people including 538 females benefited from Business Development Services in areas of soap making, batik tie and dye, cocoa husk production, general beauty care and cassava processing. He said 765 males and 552 females acquired basic knowledge about how to start and manage a small business through business orientation seminars. Mr Otchere said there were currently 360 micro and small entrepreneurs who were adopting new technology. He said while 189 had recorded increased services and sales, 390 clients were operating active bank accounts, 28 had adopted improved packaging, 100 new jobs have been established and a myriad of improved business programmes were being embarked on by entrepreneurs who had understood the concept. Mr Otchere said those achievements were not made by the assembly alone but also by some institutions which assisted the beneficiaries access to credit.

The South Akim, South Birim and the Bawjiase Rural banks have, respectively, disbursed GHC 23,700, GHC 5,500 and GHC 5,200 to various groups in the form of loans. He said some grants also came from development partners to support the clients in various activities. Mr Otchere said the European Union granted the project GHC 16,600 for the purchase of production materials and the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund spent GHC 33,200 on advocacy. He said others like the National Vocational Training Institute collaborated with the REP to assist several artisans to undergo proficiency trade examinations at a highly subsidized fee. Mr Otchere said on the whole, 288 artisans had participated and been awarded results slips to enable them to gain employment or become self- employed. He expressed gratitude to the partners for their support. 08 Dec. 09