Assembly to involve communities in loan recovery

Mafi-Srekpe, Jan. 30, GNA-The North-Tongu District Assembly is to involve communities in the recovery of credits given out under the various poverty reduction schemes during the last four years.

Under the strategy communities seeking project funding of any kind from or through the Assembly would be required to pressurise loan defaulting compatriots to pay up to show commitment to the projects. Mr. Nicholas Ahiadorme, the District Chief Executive (DCE) said this at the first annual development rally of the people of Mafi-Srekpe and its environs on Saturday.

Mr. Ahiadorme said the strategy was devised after the failure of all persuasive methods, threats of prosecution and even legal action to get defaulters to live up to their obligations.

The DCE, said recovery rate was generally appalling, adding that many farmers who benefited from tractor services from the plant pool of the Assembly on credit failed to pay up after harvest as required.

Mr Ahiadorme said focus would be shifted from cash to working tools in the management of all loan facilities in the district in the future. "We would provide tools such as sewing machines, carpentry gears, hair dryers, agricultural implements, mill parts, food processors for the small business applicants and not money this time round," he emphasised. Mr Ahiadorme said the Assembly had opted for cassava processing related businesses under the government's rural industrialisation programme. Cassava farming and the production of its derivatives such as gari is the main business in the area.

Mr Ahiadorme urged farmers to use animal droppings to revive the fertility of their farmland adding, "it is not an easy task but it can be done."