Ten persons have benefited this year under the MP’s Livelihood Support Programme, an initiative of the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George to cushion businesses within the constituency.
Items including: baking ovens, drinkables, deep freezers, call cards among others were given to people who find themselves operating businesses such as: drinking bars, bakeries, frozen foods, call cards and corn and paper trade.
A physically challenged man, Jonathan Atteh from Prampram was the beneficiary of the call cards worth GHC 1000 after years of struggling to finance his business which was on the verge of paralysis. He had vowed not to resort to begging on the street as a way of life.
In all, the beneficiaries received items worth GHC 30, 000 for their various businesses. They included first time businesses and businesses that had folded up because of capital constraints.
Speaking to the media after the donation exercise on Saturday, August 25, Sam George urged the beficiaries to put in best practices to ensure the survival of their businesses.
The MP’s Livelihood Support Programme was started last year by the MP upon assumption of office with the aim of extending helping hand to disadvantaged people within the constituency to start their own businesses and to provide support for challenged businesses as well. Last year at the inception, some 5 persons benefited motorbikes for commercial “okada” purposes while 10 tricycles were given to farmers to help cart their harvested farm produce.
What started as a annual programme is now intended to be replicated at every quarter of the year. The Ningo-Prampram Legislature is of the view that, “if every quarter we are able to set up at least 10 people, at the end of the year we can set up 40 people in productive business.”
Under the Livelihood Support Programme is the Education Support Scheme which also seeks to provide support to needy but brilliant students. Currently, the scheme provides support for about 40 students, pursuing various courses at the country’s various tertiary institutions. One beneficiary is said to be a final year Masters student at the University of Ghana.
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