Mankessim (C/R), March 2, GNA - District Assemblies should organise workshops on the management of loans for people in rural areas if the various micro-finance schemes to alleviate poverty by the government and other organisations are to make an impact. Mr Moses Arthur, Manager of Modern International Micro-Finance Limited, a non-banking Susu savings and loans venture, made the suggestion on Tuesday at Mankessim in the Mfansteman District.

Introducing the venture's facilities, Mr Arthur explained that even though people especially those in rural area could obtain loans, the fear that they could be prosecuted if they were not able to repay through poor loan management was preventing them for going for them. He encouraged the people to go for the facilities to improve their standards of living but cautioned them to make efforts to pay them back for others to benefit.

Mr John Kingsley Amissah, Executive Director of the micro-finance company gave the assurance that the venture was committed to genuine business and said that the people's money would be protected and invested wisely. Mr Ben Afful, Managing Director advised customers who would take loans to use them wisely to increase their income to enable them to pay back on time. He said the organisation would establish a counselling unit for loan management to advise customers.