Market women call for financial assistance

Techire (B/A) Oct. 15, GNA - Market Women in Techire, a farming community in Tano North District of Brong-Ahafo on Friday appealed to the government to provide them with adequate capital to help expand their businesses.

The women, numbering about 70 made the appeal through Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Deputy Regional Minister, at the celebration of the World Rural Women's Day at Techire.

Jointly organised by Redemption Care International, a local NGO and Women's World Summit Foundation, a United States NGO, the celebration was under the theme, "Empowering Rural Women For Sustainable Development".

The Women also appealed to the government to provide their husbands who are mostly farmers with necessary farm inputs to enable them to increase their productivity to enhance their living conditions. Madam Joyce Berma, leader of the Techire Kassadjan Market Association expressed regret that members of the association produced the bulk of the region's vegetable needs at moderate prices but could not obtain financial assistance to expand their businesses.

Madam Berma expressed dissatisfaction with the deplorable state of the market at Techire and appealed to the Tano North District Assembly to help rehabilitate it.

Mr. Baffour-Awuah reiterated the importance government attached to women in nation building, stressing that the government was doing its best to help improve the plight of women.

He implored the market women to exercise patience and to continue with their businesses with available funds and advised them to take advantage of the capitation policy and enroll their children in schools.

Mr. Nicholas Lenin Anane-Agyei, District Chief Executive, advised the women to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enjoy immediate and quality health delivery.

In a welcoming address, Nana Yaa Abrafi-Bonsu, Executive Director of Redemption Care International explained that the World Rural Women's Day Celebration falls on October 15 every year. She said the celebration aimed at empowering women in rural communities to contribute their quota to national development.