DANIDA provides 700 million cedis grant

Kumasi, April 24, GNA - The Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) has provided 700 million cedis grant to the Ashanti Regional branch of the Association of Small-Scale Industries (ASSI) and 11 other associations to finance research and sensitisation in addition to the purchase of modern equipment to facilitate good business practices. The grant was released under DANIDA's Business Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund and forms part of its efforts to resource Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs) to ensure they played a pivotal role in the country'sz socio-economic development.

Mr Kwame Buor, Ashanti Regional Chairman of ASSI, announced this at the annual get-together of the association in Kumasi on Sunday. He said the grant was provided for beneficiary associations last year, and plans were underway by ASSI to secure more funds for the remaining 16 sector associations under it to boost their activities. The beneficiary associations; were Footwear Manufacturers Association, Federation of Ghana Jewellers, Sand and Stone Contractors Association, Traditional Healers Association, Refrigerators and Air-conditioners Association, Bonwire Kente and Adinkra Association and Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association.

The rest are Progressive Hairdressers Association, Photographers Association, Carpenters Association and Electronics Association. Mr Buor said a special delegation from Uruguay Bakers Association would meet their counterparts from the Bakers Association in Kumasi next month to exchange ideas and strengthen relationship between them. He explained that the delegation that visited Ghana last month on feasibility studies would during their meeting with the bakers sensitise members to adopt modern techniques and skills in their operations to bring them to high standards.

Mr Buor appealed to the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies not to delay in the release of 20 per cent of their common fund to associations under ASSI to ensure the private sector remained the engine of growth in the country's economy. Mrs Juliana Nkrumah-Gyimah, Ashanti Regional Chairperson of the Ghana National Association of Traditional Healers, appealed to the members to be proactive in activities of ASSI to be worthy partners of government in national development.