Government Supports Small-Scale Industries

The Government has secured a one million dollars loan from the World Bank to support small-scale industries in the Central Region under the Village and Infrastructure Programme (VIP) for the purchase of machines.

Mr. John Kwesi Agyabeng, District Chief Executive for Agona, speaking at Oketsew at the weekend said 20 groups and six individuals in the District have applied for the facility. He said the District Assembly was processing the applications to be submitted to the Agona Rural Bank, which is administering the fund in the District.

The DCE said the government of Ghana would also top the facility with 30 percent of the credit to the beneficiaries. Mr Agyabeng said the loan would be used for sugar cane crushers, Gari processing machines and palm kernel and oil extractors.

The DCE expressed regret that few groups and individuals had shown interest, adding that, the facility had nothing to do with political affiliation since the government wanted to encourage small-scale industries.

Mr. Agyabeng urged those interested to come forward since the procedure was not cumbersome. He said that the Assembly was prepared to guarantee for communities ready to enter food processing. The DCE called on small and medium industries in the district to show interest to create jobs for the youth.