Government on Tuesday assured fishmongers and fishers in Accra of support through the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre programme (MASLOC) to improve on their businesses.

Mrs Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe Ghansah, Minister of State in-charge of Social and Allied Institutions gave the assurance when she paid a visit to some coastal communities in Ablekuma South, Ablekuma West and Odododiodio constituencies in Accra.

MASLOC is a microfinance apex body responsible for implementing Government’s microfinance programmes targeted at reducing poverty, creating jobs and wealth.

The Minister engaged the fishing communities on government’s social intervention programmes and policies and found out the challenges facing them.

Mrs Ghansah urged the beneficiaries of the loans to pay back to enable more people to benefit from the programme.

She asked them to keep their environment clean to avoid cholera outbreak, since the raining season is getting closer.

Madam Mary Ansah, a fishmonger said the private financial institutions that provide loan facilities charge heavy interest rates.

She said her community lacks proper drainage system and where to dispose of waste.

“Our road network is also not good,” she added.

Madam Ansah noted that there are no school infrastructures in her locality compelling children to walk to Mamprobi a nearby community to access education.

The Minister Ghansah donated bags of rice, aluminum bowls and other items to some fishmongers.

The communities she visited included Glefe, Shiabu, Chorkor and Akweteman.