Mireku Duker, MP for Tarkwa Nsuem
The Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuem, in Western Region, George Mireku Duker, has offered interest-free loan to 200 petty traders in his constituency to expand their businesses.
The money, totaling Ghc 100,000.00, was disbursed through a newly established foundation named after the MP.
Each of the beneficiaries had Ghc 500.00, with plans to increase their number to 400 by November this year.
At a ceremony last Saturday where the loans were disbursed, Mr Duker said the Ghc 100,000.000 was a seed money from his private coffers, explaining that other individuals and organisations had been approached to donate to the Foundation to enable more traders to benefit from the loan scheme.
More beneficiaries soon
The MP, who doubles as Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister, expressed the hope that the scheme would expand to cover at least one thousand people in a year’s time. He said the establishment of the Foundation was in response to calls by the women for financial support to expand their businesses.
He indicated that women are better managers of homes, and ‘‘can perform wonders” when empowered financially.
“I have no doubt in my mind of their abilities to trade and make more monies from their meagre packages,”he added.
Mr Duker however reminded the women that the monies are not gifts but loans to be repaid to enable others to also benefit from it.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to Daily Statesman said although the amount given them was not that huge, they appreciate it, and commended the MP for the initiative.
They said the loans would impact positively on their businesses, and therefore pledged to utilize them judiciously.
