Abesim (B/A), June 25, GNA - Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Brong-Ahafo have applauded the first phase of the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund (BUSAC) saying it helped them to enhance growth of their businesses.

The BUSAC fund was set-up by the Danish government to assist small and medium scale enterprises in the country to undertake training and advocacy action for development.

The beneficiary groups made the commendation at the close of a two-day workshop organised by the management of the fund at Abesim, near Sunyani on Tuesday to ascertain the results of advocacy actions embarked by the beneficiaries.

They however appealed to the management of BUSAC Fund to increase the amounts granted them to enable them to also step up training for members and embark on more effective and efficient advocacy actions in future.

Nana Emmanuel Bisi, Chairman of Sunyani Municipal Taxi Drivers Union, said the association accessed the BUSAC fund to undertake a four-day advocacy programme and that it yielded positive results. Mr. Noah K. Sarfo, Chairman of the Yeji Cooperative Lake Transport Fishermen Society, said an advocacy action by the society made the district assembly to construct more toilets for the community. Mr. Sarfo said through the advocacy action, Navy personnel had begun patrol duties on the Black Volta and that parents were educated to appreciate the importance of sending children to school. Ms Belinda Boateng Sakyi, Deputy Secretary of Sunyani Market Women Association noted that because the market women did not recognize the need to pay income taxes, they always got into confrontation with officials of the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).

"Initially we thought the IRS was cheating us in the payment of income tax but through the advocacy action most of us were educated on the benefits of paying tax", she said, adding "we have now dialogued with the IRS in the payment our income tax".

Ms Sakyi said the association was also in talks with the municipal assembly to expand the Sunyani main market, which contained about 1,500 traders.

Dr. Dale Rachmeler, Fund Manager of BUSAC, said a total of 10 million dollars in grants was given out to 360 associations in Ghana during the five-year period which ended in 2009. He said the second phase of the project would start in 2010 for another five years. Dr. Rachmeler urged the associations to form networks with sister associations to enable them to access the fund without difficulties. 25 June 09