By Muyid Deen Suleman
Kumasi Oct 17, GNA – Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, has reaffirmed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) commitment to support female traders by creating a special fund that will offer soft loans without any collateral.
According to her, the initiative was carefully designed to promote economic inclusion and promote businesses of women entrepreneurs and thereby, help to reduce poverty among women in the country.
Madam Frema Osei was speaking at the inauguration of the rehabilitated sections of the Race Course market in Kumasi.
That section of the market was damaged by a fire outbreak, which destroyed large quantities of merchandize goods, some few months ago.
Madam Frema Osei highlighted the NPP Flag-bearer’s promise of establishing the Women’s Trade Empowerment Fund, saying, the fund would provide loans and grants to women, especially those in the small and medium-scale sector to expand and grow their businesses.
The policy, she indicated would change the face of women-owned businesses by removing the barriers that impeded access to credit and other financial resources.
The Chief of Staff also noted that she had so far spearheaded the reconstruction of parts of the market affected by the fire as well as improvements to market infrastructure to enhance business activities.
Nana Akosua Kyeiwaa, Queen Mother of Race Course traders, commended the Chief of Staff for spearheading the rehabilitation and upgrade of the market, saying it was making a positive impact on the business activities of the traders.
GNA