The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), has petitioned government asking that its leadership is selected to be part of the Committee that will manage the disbursement of the GHS600 million loan support scheme for small and medium scale enterprises, (SMEs).
According to them, this will ensure that funds are distributed in a fair and transparent manner. In a statement by the President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng, the group is also asking that the disbursement of funds be done devoid of politics.
It will be recalled that President Akufo-Addo in his address to Ghanaians on Sunday [April 5, 2020] announced that, government is set to roll out a soft loan scheme of up to six hundred million Ghana cedis for small to medium scale enterprises following the economic impact of the novel coronavirus.
Among other demands, the Association is urging the beneficiaries of the loan to use the funds for its intended purpose as “this will then encourage the Trade Associations to appeal to government for sustenance of the package as a revolving fund for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations.”
The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations further commended government for the timely interventions intended to lessen the effect of the deadly COVID-19 on people and the economy. Currently, the country has recorded 636 cases with 8 deaths and 17 recoveries.
Also, to sustain businesses in the wake of the pandemic, President Akufo-Addo on March 27th, 2020 announced that all households and small to medium scale enterprises are to benefit from a stimulus package of one billion Ghana cedis.
This, according to him, is part of the creation of a Coronavirus Alleviation Program to revive the country’s affected industries and address the distraction in economic activities caused by the pandemic.
Source: Fiilafmonline/CitiBuss
