Awutu-Mfafo (C/R), Oct. 12, GNA - Sixteen farming groups in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District of the Central Region were on Tuesday given financial assistance totalling 659 million cedis by the government through the Community Investment Fund (CIF) scheme initiated by the Forestry Services Commission.

According to Mr. Ebenezer Sersah, Assistant Manager of the Forestry Services Division and representative of the CIF, beneficiaries of the loan live around forest reserves in the Awutu Traditional Area who, hitherto, relied solely on forest resources for their livelihood. Mr. Sersah said initiators of the CIF scheme, in conjunction with the Forestry Services Division had already given them beneficiaries adequate training on beekeeping, grasscutter, livestock rearing, pigry and snail farming to enable them to utilise the funds profitably. He said the rationale behind the scheme was to assist the farmers improve upon their individual economies and prevent them from degrading the forests through the continuous reliance on forest resources. Mr. Solomon Kwashie Abbam-Quaye, District Chief Executive for the area advised them to make good use of the fund to meet the expectations of the providers.

Mr. Abbam-Quaye also counselled people in the district to embrace the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to benefit from the scheme. He said the scheme is one of the important moves initiated by the government to alleviate the sufferings of Ghanaians, particularly the poor in the society. Mr Abbam-Quaye urged the beneficiaries to ensure prompt payment of the loan to ensure the sustainability of the scheme for more groups in the district to benefit.

Nana Dr Adjoku Aborah VII, Tufohene of Agona-Nyakrom and Chairman of the Fund, warned beneficiaries against laziness and other acts that could undermine the effective operation of their businesses. Nana John Wilson, Project Manager of the Awutu-Bawjiase Area Rural Bank, executioners of the Fund, stressed the need for members of the beneficiary groups to teach their children the various trades they have chosen to ensure continuity of the work when they grow old. 12 Oct. 05