Agona East MP supports market women with interest-free loans

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Agona East constituency in the Central Region, Queenstar Maame Pokuah Sawyerr has provided an interest-free loan of GH¢100,000 to market women in her constituency.

Mrs Sawyerr said the interest loan is aimed at helping the women to expand their business as well as meet the demand of Christmas and they are expected to pay back within a year.

According to her, women have the power to kick out poverty from the constituency, hence, her passion for assisting them.

Queenstar Pokuah Sawyerr gave out the loans to the women herself at durbars within various towns and villages in the constituency.

Some of the communities that benefitted from the Maame Pokuah Loans Scheme (MPLS) are Fahwia number 1, Fahwia number 2, Kofi Abbam, Kwesi Kum, Yaw Dadze, Brepo, Mensakrom and Kwanyako Sanco.

She said women who were willing to work and aggressive to promote and expand their business to support their families were considered for the loan.

Mrs Sawyerr disclosed that she will establish an entrepreneurs’ skilled centre to train entrepreneurs in the Agona East constituency on business and risk management.

Some of the beneficiaries who commended the MP for the scheme alleged that some Non-Governmental Organisations and microfinance firms have been deceiving them with loans facilities.

"We are made to spend a lot of money on documentation with a promise that we will be given financial support but this never materializes." Yaa Alepei, a beneficiary pointed out.

She added that “Hon. Queenstar Maame Pokua Sawyerr is God send to the people of Agona East. She is loving, caring, generous and God-fearing. It’s for that reason we call her Obaatanpa”.

Another beneficiary, Grace Tomiedi advised her other beneficiaries to use the money judiciously to ensure that the purpose of the loan is achieved.

She also appealed to all beneficiaries to pay back the interest-free loan within the stipulated period to enable others to also enjoy.

The Maame Pokua Loans Scheme (MPLS) is an annual initiative which has been running in the month of November for the past six years.