Wa, (UW/R), April 30, GNA – The Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has called on the government to advance low-interest loan to its members to save their businesses from eminent collapse due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
It said some of its members were unable to access raw materials to continue with their production, while others in the agricultural sector for instance had difficulty in accessing markets for their produce, which were causing their businesses to collapse.
This was contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Iddrisu Salford, the Upper West Regional Chairman of the chamber and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Wa.
“While we appreciate the gesture of government in giving support in the form of reduction in water and electricity bills, we wish to ask for support in the form of low -interest loans that will help members to revamp their businesses”, the statement noted.
It said weavers, who formed majority of the membership of the chamber in the region, imported their raw materials such as threads from China, but could not import again due to the closure of the national borders.
It added that vegetable producers could not also sell their produce due to the restriction on public gatherings and closure of schools as a result of the COVID-19.
“In fact, since the advent of the pandemic in Ghana, business has not been encouraging. Many of our members have difficulty selling their produce. Those with customers outside the region, no longer get them. This is therefore making it difficult to meet our targets”, it explained.
The statement also urged members of the GCCI to adhere to the protocols and directives of the President and health experts on the fight against the COVID-19.
GNA