Sunyani MCE – Swiss Embassy’s – alternative livelihoods support project
Atronie (Bono region), February 04, 2023
Mr. John Ansu Kumi, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) has commended the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana for the support to socioeconomically empower women farmers in smaller communities in the Municipality.
Mr. Kumi, on Thursday, on behalf of Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister handed over startup tools and materials for 45 women farmers at Atronie area who underwent a free eight-days capacity building and skills training, a project fully sponsored by the Swiss Embassy to expanded daily incomes and sustain the livelihoods of beneficiaries.
They were trained and empowered in liquid, alata/black and Azuma blow soaps making.
Mr. Kumi noted the self encouragement by the women to undertake the training was a life changing step in the right direction, saying it is self employable and socioeconomic livelihood expansion venture.
Thi is the third project, aimed at helping women in the smaller communities to get alternative livelihoods sustainability means in place of their seasonal farming activities.
In all, 150 women from Kurosua area, Daadom and Atronie areas have benefited from the project since it inception in September 2022 and have received startup kits worth over One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis.
Mrs. Eunice Adams and Mrs. Elizabeth Lariba, Techinacal trainers of the second and third training were trainees who benefited from the first project at Kurosua No.2 and environs, farming communities in Sunyani.
Mrs. Esther Akuamoah was the Business Management trainer.
The Kavinang Foundation, a non governmental organization into community development and women’s economic empowerment is facilitating the projects.
Mr. Seth Cudjoe, the project coordinator said beneficiaries would be given financial literacy and business management and sustainability training and help them register as cooperatives.
Some of the beneficiary told the media that the project is “a major turning point” because “we previously rely solely on seasonal farming because of the rainfall pattern but this would help change our narratives”.
Mrs. Sarah Amoah said “I have always been buying soap from the market to take care of the home so this would drastically reduce my daily expenses”.
Writer’s email: ttchrietoph1@gmail.com