Goaso (B/A), Feb. 17, GNA - The Social Investment Fund (SIF) in the Asunafo District has, over the last two years, embarked on development projects worth 4.6 billion cedis.

The projects are rural clinics, three libraries, one medical store, 14 school structures and a six-seater KVIP.

The Asunafo District SIF sub-project officer, Mr. John Dwumfuor, announced this at Goaso when he presented a loan of 300 million cedis to 26 cooperative societies, to enhance their businesses.

Five hundred and ninety-three individuals were expected to benefit from the loan, which was channelled through the Ahafo Community Bank, one of the rural banks selected for the disbursement of micro-finances to rural businesses.

Mr. Dwumfour said the SIF had shifted its focus to poverty reduction and would empower many people, especially women in the rural areas to boost improvement in their living conditions. He lauded the cooperation that SIF had enjoyed from the Asunafo District Assembly, particularly in terms of prompt payment of the Assembly's counterpart commitments and assured the district of more projects.

Presenting the loan, Mr. M.A. Agyekum, Manager of the Bank, urged the beneficiaries to repay the loans on schedule to enable other groups to enjoy the facility.

Mr. Agyekum announced that the ARB Apex Bank Limited had plans to source a Japanese loan facility, which would also come through the rural banks to assist people in rural areas to better their lot.