Govt to abolish poverty alleviation fund

Lower Bobikuma (C/R), Nov 12, GNA - The government has decided to abolish the Poverty Alleviation Fund being administered by the District Assemblies due to persistent failure on the part of the beneficiaries to pay back the loans, thereby making it difficult for others to also benefit from the scheme.

Mr Ben Mensah, the Agona District Chief Executive (DCE) disclosed this when he addressed a durbar of the chiefs and people of Lower Bobikuma to climax their annual Akwambo Festival. He said the government has decided to invest the fund in the training of teachers, nurses and other employment opportunities to create jobs and wealth.

Mr Mensah said a nationwide survey had indicated that many beneficiaries of the Poverty Alleviation Fund had woefully failed to honour their obligation to repay into the revolving fund for others to also benefit.

He called on the people of Lower Bobikuma not to use the festival as a merry-making only but as a platform to promote tourism potentials of the area.

The DCE assured the people and the chiefs that their Community Secondary School would be absorbed by the government to enhance quality education in the area.

He asked them to initiate self-help projects with assistance from the District Assembly since government alone cannot shoulder all the developmental programmes.

Dr Charles Kumsah, Head of Science at the University of Education, Winneba, advised parents in the town to send their children, especially the girl-child, to school.

Nana Kojo Frempong, Chairman of the Agona District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, appealed to the people to register with the scheme and that others had already started enjoying the package. Nana Kofi Yeboah VIII, Chief of Bobikuma appealed to the DCE to use his good office to impress upon the Electricity Company of Ghana to step up the current low voltage in the area.