Wa, Sept.19, GNA - Five learning centres in the Wa municipality and Lawra district in the Upper West region have been granted a total of 187,755,000 cedis for their operations under the Community-Based Rural Development Project (CBRDP) being implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to this effect was on Monday signed between the two assemblies and the learning centres. Mr Mac Adams Banda, Wa Municipal Chief Executive and Mr George Sule, Lawra District Chief Executive signed for their respective assemblies with the proprietors of the training centres at Wa. Under the MOU, Rosalko Ventures of Mangu in the Wa municipality, a batik making centre received 21.6 million cedis, Hans Classic of Wa, producers of weanimix got 28 million cedis while Real Services Limited, also of Wa, had 96.7 millions to boost its jam and marmalade production. Baaru xylophone making centre of Lawra had 18.7 million cedis while Binne baskets production centre, also of Lawra was given 22.5 million cedis.

The centres currently have on their enrolment between 10 and 15 trainees, who are doing up to 60 days.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister said the MOU was intended to provide technical and financial support to rural enterprises operators. He said it was also to ensure that the beneficiary enterprise served as learning centres or focal points for knowledge and skills transfer to the rural unemployed youth who will be able to make quality products for the markets.

The Minister appealed to rural banks to do more to help rural enterprises than they are doing at present. He therefore urged the banks to be flexible in the granting of loans and other assistance to rural entrepreneurs. Mr Imoru Abdulai, Northern zone coordinator of the CBRDP, said approving applications for the grants, the project took into consideration the viability of the ventures and marketability of their products.

He said it is hoped that the operators would be able to raise the other half of their required start up capital.