UNIDO to extend rural assistance project

Abuesi (W/R) Dec. 13, GNA - The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is considering extending its assistance to small-scale agro-processors under its Rural Enterprise Development Support (REDS) Project.

Mr. Akmel Akpa, UNIDO Representative for Ghana, Togo and Benin, announced this when presenting a 100-litre polytank to the Abuesi Fish Processors Association on behalf of UNIDO at Abuesi near Sekondi, over the weekend.

He said the pilot project that started in 2000 should have ended this year and the extension was being considered because the project had been successful and beneficiary to agro processors.

Mr. Akpa said the project was implemented in the Western, Eastern and Volta Regions with the aim of assisting small-scale agro processors including fish, cassava, palm oil and coconut processors.

He said the projects intervention areas were entrepreneurial and business skills training, marketing, micro - financing and training on good hygiene, good manufacturing practices and equipment procurement. Mrs. Grace Adjei-Misa, UNIDO/REDS Project Officer in-charge of the Western Region, said 12 agro processing associations had benefited from the project in the Region.

Mrs. Adjei-Misa said an agro technologists had helped members of the Association to produce their goods under hygienic conditions to meet international standards for export.

Mr. John Koomson, Head of the Takoradi Business Advisory Centre, said the National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI) and the Lower Pra Rural Bank were collaborating with UNIDO on the project. He said the Lower Pra Rural Bank had disbursed a total of 535 million cedis to about 405 agro processors in the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolis and the Mpohor Wassa East District.

Mr. Koomson said the Abuesi Fish Processors Association received 223 million cedis of the loans.

Mr. George Aidoo Abban, Secretary of the Association, called on the government to take tough action against fishermen who were using "aggregated light" for fishing as the practice was depleting fish resources.