....we do it professionally

The Micro Finance and Small Loans Scheme (MASLOC) has
described the allegation by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament
for the Ablekuma North Constituency in the Greater Accra region, Justice Joe
Appiah to the effect that ‘’loans are
only disbursed to NDC foot soldiers’’, as a wild, frivolous and empty
propaganda aimed at scoring cheap
political points.

Contrary to
allegations by the NPP) M P, MASLOC says ‘’it would not travel the road of the
NPP, but working assiduously to improve the lives of the people.

According to Justice Joe Appiah, MASLOC which was set up by
the erstwhile NPP administration to provide loans to micro businesses has been
turned into ‘’a job for the boys by the ruling NDC as loans are accessible to
only NDC party faithful.’’

But in a sharp response the Chief Executive of MASLOC Madam Bertha Answer Djan tells
Radio Gold in Accra that, her outfit ensures that the people accessing the
loans actually use the loans to what is intended for, thus there is a lot of
monitoring by credit officers ‘’so my dear I am sorry. We do not use political
colors
in disbursing loans, we use professionalism.’’

She blamed the former president Kufuor administration for the
challenges bedeviling the scheme, where monies and vehicles were given to party
people who felt reluctant to repay, just because their party was in power. ‘’We
at MASLOC would not repeat the mistakes of the NPP.’’ Madam Ansah Djan said.

The NPP legislator alleged among other things to a sister
radio station in Accra that, ‘’MASLOC is selective and just give loans to their
party people. I am a sitting M.P and I know what I am talking about. He further
accused MASLOC that when NPP members go for loans they tell them this is for
the foot soldiers.

But the C.E.O of MASLOC described the allegation as a fairy
tale which has no bearing.

She said, her outfit has become demanding with subscribers of
loans doubling by the day. ‘’we can’t do everything in the country, a lot of
people are looking for money thus it will therefore be nice if MASLOC could be
adequately resourced so we can reach out to the people and also bring them to
the tax bracket and affect businesses positively in the country.’’

Madam Bertha Ansah-Djan reiterated that her outfit does not
consider political colours but puts emphasis on what the loans would be used
for. MASLOC looks at the viability and profitability of businesses before
disbursing loans.

She bemoaned the attitude of persons who fail to pay back
loans or vehicles. ‘’When we came in the vehicles the NPP distributed were one
of the areas that people where not paying at all, but with the recovery company
in the fore, every pesewa given by MASLOC whether to an NDC or NPP person would
be retrieved without fear nor favor.’’ Ansah Djan said.

She urged Ghanaians to be more responsible by paying for
their loans to ensuring the sustainability of the economy, stressing that, ‘’
the government chest is not a bottomless hole.’’