Ghanaian businessmen have been urged to cultivate the habit of promptly paying back loans generously granted them and not wait to be chased up by the law enforcement agencies before honouring their debt obligations.

The call was made by H.E. Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana?s High Commissioner to the UK at the launch of the SSNIT Student Loan Repayment Initiative in London.

The launch was attended by representatives of Ghanaian community associations, old student groups, parents and opinion leaders within the Ghanaian community.

Present at the event were Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner, a three-member SSNIT delegation led by Mr. Kwasi Boatin, General Manager Finance. Others were Mr. K. Osei Bimpong, Head of Public Affairs and Mr. Richard Asamoah-Mensah, Head of the Student Loan Scheme.

High Commissioner Osei said that there was the need ?to break this cycle once and for all to enable other entrepreneurs to benefit from limited available resources?.

Mr. Osei assured the management of SSNIT of the Mission?s support in the sensitisation programme in order to hasten the recovery process.

He commended the new management of SSNIT for choosing the UK as the focal point of the initiative and described the drive as a bold attempt to retrieve all workers monies given out to recipients.

Mr. Osei called for co-operation and understanding of all beneficiaries and emphasised that the prompt repayment of these loans would increase the capacity of SSNIT to render further assistance to other needy students and for use in other productive ventures in furtherance of national development.

Following the launch was the recording of a special edition of ?Mmaa Nkommo? programme, a leading television talk show in Ghana.

Ghana?s High Commissioner, led a team of officers of the Mission including the Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu to throw light on the role and activities of the Mission in the UK and contributions Ghanaians could make in support of the country?s development.

Hostess Afia Ansa Ampene thrilled the audience with some penetrating questions while Ghana?s songstress Akosua Adjepong kept the audience spellbound with some captivating songs from her repertoire.

Reaction to the programme has been positive judging from the euphoria which characterised the event and the lively input of participants in the discussions.