EU micro-project phase VI to execute less projects

Foase (Ash), June 22, GNA - Between 1,500 and 1,600 projects have been scheduled for execution under phase VI of the micro-project programme of the European Union (EU), in the country. This phase has less projects as compared to the 1,950 projects implemented during the fifth phase.

Comparatively, while 27 million euros was injected into the fifth phase of the project, which ends in June this year, a grant of 25 million euros has been allocated to support the sixth phase of the project, scheduled to take off July this year.

Dr Kwaku Osafo, programme manager of the project said these at the commissioning of a 240 million-cedi market, constructed under the EU micro-project, at Foase in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District on Wednesday. The project comprised 10 locked-up stores and 30 opened stores or stalls. Dr Osafo said the sixth phase of the micro programme would mainly focus on issues related to environmental development and income-generating activities. He said the Northern, Upper West and Upper East, Central, Volta and Eastern regions would also benefit from the sixth phase project.

Dr Osafo said "unfortunately Ashanti Region has not been selected to benefit from projects under this phase, because it is the single region that had benefited most, since the inception of the micro-projects programme in the country in 1990". The Ashanti Region alone benefited from about 750 projects out of the 1,950 implemented in the country, Dr Osafo explained. He said 39 out of the 750 projects in the Ashanti Region were implemented in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District. He said the projects to be executed under this programme include clinics, schools, markets, toilet and health facilities.

Mr Bright Addae Munumkum, District Chief Executive for Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma commended the EU for its good work, saying, the projects had helped salvage the district from its hitherto deprived state.