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CIBA takes measures to protect members
Accra, Dec. 4, Ghanadot/GNA – Mr. Ralph Ameyaw, Executive
Secretary of the Council of Indigenous Business Association
(CIBA) on Tuesday said the council was taking steps to
ensure that problems facing members whose jobs were prone to
accidents, including fire outbreaks were adequately
addressed.
As a step, Mr. Ameyaw said the council would offer regional
orientation on fire, life and disability to the countryside
to purchase foodstuffs and height workers like carpenters,
painters and masons without life insurance.
Speaking at the inauguration of a 16-member CIBA
Regional/District Council members in Accra, Mr. Ameyaw said
to ensure the growth of its membership, it was identifying
master craftsmen of some members who would provide training
for apprentices to facilitate the national apprentices
programme.
He said: "This will involve absorbing street children to the
regular informal associations to begin vocational training
thus; our database being established through out the country
will soon be of immense benefit."
Mr. Ameyaw noted that, one key development process in the
informal sector was to access credit and stressed the need
to provide more inputs on hire purchase for members to
address some challenges facing the informal sector.
He said the council was therefore, linking up with the
Barclays Bank, Micro Banking Unit to develop culture of
banking among members adding, "our repayment process will at
the same time prepare members to access the banks financial
support."
He said CIBA was going to establish an endowment fund, which
would provide the needed bank collateral, required to
support credits relatively low interest to members.
"The fund symbolises the harnessing of our members resources
with as low as a monthly contribution of 20,000 cedis or GH
2.00. For this reason, a database of all members was being
established throughout the country," he remarked.
Mr. Ameyaw who pledged CIBA's continued support to members
said some trade associations such as tailors and dressmakers
would soon benefit from a 58,000 dollar modern equipment
that would be located at GICEL near Weija in Accra.
He appealed to members to join the Social Security and
National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme.
Nana Akomea, Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, who
later interacted with members of CIBA urged them to unite in
order to secure loans and other facilities that would
facilitate the growth of their businesses.
Nana Akomea further urged members to repackage their
products to attract more customers as the nation hosts the
CAN 2008 Tournament.
Mr Alfred C.K Agbetsiafa, Chairman of CIBA said Ghana
recognised the private sector as the engine of growth.
CIBA, established 14 years ago has a 2.4 million membership,
including associations of traditional caterers, tailors,
mechanics, dressmakers and beauticians.
GNA
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