Accra, Dec. 4, GNA - Mr. Ralph Ameyaw, Executive Secretary of the Council of Indigenous Business Association (CIBA) on Tuesday said the council was taking steps to ensure that problems facing members whose jobs were prone to accidents, including fire outbreaks were adequately addressed.

As a step, Mr. Ameyaw said the council would offer regional orientation on fire, life and disability to the countryside to purchase foodstuffs and height workers like carpenters, painters and masons without life insurance.

Speaking at the inauguration of a 16-member CIBA Regional/District Council members in Accra, Mr. Ameyaw said to ensure the growth of its membership, it was identifying master craftsmen of some members who would provide training for apprentices to facilitate the national apprentices programme. He said: "This will involve absorbing street children to the regular informal associations to begin vocational training thus; our database being established through out the country will soon be of immense benefit."

Mr. Ameyaw noted that, one key development process in the informal sector was to access credit and stressed the need to provide more inputs on hire purchase for members to address some challenges facing the informal sector. He said the council was therefore, linking up with the Barclays Bank, Micro Banking Unit to develop culture of banking among members adding, "our repayment process will at the same time prepare members to access the banks financial support." He said CIBA was going to establish an endowment fund, which would provide the needed bank collateral, required to support credits relatively low interest to members.

"The fund symbolises the harnessing of our members resources with as low as a monthly contribution of 20,000 cedis or GH 2.00. For this reason, a database of all members was being established throughout the country," he remarked.

Mr. Ameyaw who pledged CIBA's continued support to members said some trade associations such as tailors and dressmakers would soon benefit from a 58,000 dollar modern equipment that would be located at GICEL near Weija in Accra.

He appealed to members to join the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme. Nana Akomea, Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, who later interacted with members of CIBA urged them to unite in order to secure loans and other facilities that would facilitate the growth of their businesses. Nana Akomea further urged members to repackage their products to attract more customers as the nation hosts the CAN 2008 Tournament. Mr Alfred C.K Agbetsiafa, Chairman of CIBA said Ghana recognised the private sector as the engine of growth. CIBA, established 14 years ago has a 2.4 million membership, including associations of traditional caterers, tailors, mechanics, dressmakers and beauticians. 04 Dec.0 7