NBSSI disburses funds to groups in Eastern Region
The National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI), in line with its mandate to support small businesses, has disbursed GH¢50,000 over the years to individuals and groups in the Eastern Region.
NBSSI has also given business advice and training in business management, record keeping and financial management to small businesses, especially in the rural areas to boost such businesses and to ensure that rural entrepreneurs had the necessary support to expand their enterprises.
Mrs Rebecca Kodua, the Regional Manager of the NBSSI, said this to the GNA in an interview during the inauguration of a Regional Committee on Micro and Small Scale Enterprises Promotion (RECOMEP) on Wednesday.
She said the RECOMEP was a body instituted to implement the Rural Enterprises Program (REP) and the NBSSI project aimed at providing both financial and technical support for small-scale businesses and rural entrepreneurs as a poverty alleviating strategy to increase employment and sustainable livelihoods of rural dwellers.
Mrs Kodua said the collaboration had become necessary to ensure that rural enterprises and small scale businesses that contribute significantly to the economic growth were given attention.
She said by categorizing businesses in the region, about 25 per cent are in traditional craft, 13 percent in primary fabrication and repairs, 58 percent in service enterprises whiles four percent are in manufacturing and others.
According to Mrs Koduah, studies and surveys on industrial performance in Ghana had shown that the micro and small enterprises had strong impact on the transformation of the economy hence the need to support such skills and enterprises to grow.
She said the focus of the programme was on rural entrepreneurship to improve livelihoods and incomes of rural poor by increasing the number of rural enterprises that generated profit and employment opportunities.
It would be implemented in 12 districts in the region through the various municipal and district assemblies.
The Regional Coordinating Director, Mr. Samuel Bawa, who inaugurated the 14-member committee, said the government was committed to the growth of rural enterprises and small scale businesses since it dominated the private sector.
He urged members to be committed to the work of the committee to realize the purpose.
The 12 districts to benefit from the programme are Akuapem North, East and West Akyem, Kwahu West and South, Kwaebibirem, New Abirem, Suhum, Nsawam, Fanteakwa and Asuogyaman.
Source: GNA