Eights members from three Local Business Associations (LBA) in the Builsa North District of the Upper East Region have been supported with various start-up kits under the Rural Enterprise Program.

The beneficiaries, made up of 4 masons, an auto-electrician and 3 carpenters, were presented with tools and other equipment to aid in starting up their business operations.

The items were given to the beneficiaries at a consultative meeting held in Sandema. In attendance were the District Chief Executive, Chiefs, industry players and members of the Local Business Associations in the district.

The meeting was aimed at deliberating on the challenges stifling the growth of business in the area and identifying lasting solutions for them.

Head of the Builsa North District Assembly Business Resource Centre (BRC), Akeeda Roger Awimbe, in his speech explained that the presentation is part of intervention put in place by the Resource Centre to address the challenges artisans in the district go through in acquiring the requisite tools and equipment to startup businesses after training.

According to Mr. Akeeda, the lack of capital, tools, and equipment has been identified as one huge hurdle pulling back the development and expansion of businesses in the district. He was however hopeful the items will soften the burden on artisans and support them to become self- employed.

“The startup kits are tools and equipment that are going to help the clients to work. Mostly, these clients after undergoing their training in carpentry, masonry, welding or blacksmithing have the challenge in acquiring requisite tools and equipment to kick start their business. So we as a business resource centre have identified them and written to the rural enterprise program to support them with these kits so that they start something on their own”. He said.

Mr. Akeeda enumerated a number of challenges marring the smooth operations of the program and appealed for assistance from the district assembly and government.

The Builsa North District Chief Executive, Afoko David Amoabil, who made the presentations urged beneficiaries to make meaningful use of the startup kits so as to benefit society.

He stressed that government is committed to the cause of promoting and supporting small and local business in the area. He also made the assurance that the assembly will make the business environment in the district very favourable and supportive.

One of the beneficiaries, Asangalisa Fidelis expressed his excitement.

According to him, the items have come at a time they are most needed and will greatly help him in his carpentry business. He appealed for more support from government.