Monday, August 6, 2012

REP supports SME operators in Elmina


The Rural Enterprise Programme (REP) has presented various tools valued at GH¢50,000 to 60 small-scale entrepreneurs in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality, to help develop that sector to grow the local economy. The tools include welding machines, hairdressing equipment including hair dryers, barbering kit, electric sewing machines and vulcanizing machines.

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Joseph Samuel Annan, said the Government of Ghana would continue to assist the micro and small-scale sector until it was fully developed. This he said was because the sector is the engine of growth of every nation and must therefore be supported to harness its potentials and helped to generate more jobs for poverty reduction.

He said posterity would not forgive the present generation if it failed to provide meaningful livelihoods for its people and called on the youth as well as the unemployed to avail themselves of such opportunities to learn trades. Dr. Annan, who is also the Member of Parliament for KEEA, asked the beneficiaries to be more studious and to learn new methods of plying their various trades to keep them in business and also ensure that the tools were kept in good conditions to prolong their lifespan.

The Financial Controller of REP, Mr. Charles Mensah, said the provision of the equipment by the Programme was to support young people, who have undergone apprenticeship training but are unable to set up their own businesses, to do so. Mr. Mensah therefore urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the businesses were set-up in their areas. He mentioned that the beneficiaries are also expected to train more people in their various communities to help improve the local economy and living conditions.

The Chief of Abrem-Agona , Nana Terpo V, praised the Ministry of Trade and Industry  and REP for the support. He explained that the equipment would help keep the youth in business and stop them from idling about.

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