Sekondi, June 7, GNA - Forty-three individuals and groups in the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolis have been recommended for loans under the National Youth Fund.

Papa Assan, Western Regional Coordinator of the National Youth Council (NYC), announced this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sekondi.

He said loan applications of some 48 individuals and groups in the Wassa West District had also been forwarded to the National Management Committee of the Fund for approval.

Papa Assan said the total amount of loans for applicants in the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolis amounted to 400.3 million cedis, while that of applicants in Wassa West was 195 million cedis.

He said the applicants were being given the loan to expand their businesses such as dress-making/tailoring, hairdressing, carpentry, batik tie and dye and vegetable and fish farming.

Papa Assan said the National Youth Fund was being implemented on a pilot basis in four districts in the region for one year, after which it would be extended to other areas.

The piloting districts are Shama-Ahanta East Metropolis, Wassa West, Wassa Amenfi and Ahanta West Districts.