Regional News of Wednesday, 7 November 2007

Source: GNA

Do not politicise loan disbursement - Government urged

Kasoa (C/R), Nov 7, GNA - Mr Osei Kofi, Chairman of the Fawoho Bo Yesu Welfare Group at Kasoa, has called for the non-partisan approach towards the disbursement of the Medium And Small Scale Loans (MASSLO) facility to support Ghanaian businessmen and women. He stated that the politicisation of the credit facility by the government to assist the expansion of businesses would create more economic difficulties for the people especially women. Mr Osei Kofi, who was speaking at a meeting of the group at Kasoa, noted that women faced serious economic hardship especially in rural areas.

He appealed for expedited action in the processing of loan applications to enable the recipients to embark on various income generating ventures.

Mr Osei Kofi expressed concern about the in ability of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme to register people at Kasoa to enable them have access to affordable health care. He noted that the people in the area had embraced the scheme but were faced with registration problems.

The Chairman of the group noted that in spite of the introduction of the capitation grant, school feeding and free exercise books supply majority of children were roaming on the streets. He described the situation as "chaotic and a recipe for disaster" in the near future and advised parents not to allow their children of school-going age to sell as hawkers.

Mr Osei Kofi expressed fears that teenage pregnancy in the area was on the ascendancy with girls between the ages 9 and 12 giving birth. He called for the education of both parents and children about the dangers of the issue.

Mr Osei Kofi appealed to the MP for Awutu-Senya, Mr Oppey Abbey and the District Chief Executive, Mr Solomon Abbam Quaye for the provision of a drainage system at Kasoa New Town and the tarring of the Obom road to ensure the safety of travellers. He called on the people to desist from acts, which impeded the development of the area and the creation of the new District for Awutu-Bereku.

Mr Osei Kofi advised women to patronise the new market and called on the District Assembly to investigate the cause of a fire outbreak at the market on Tuesday.