The Member of Parliament for Wenchi, Hon. Seidu Haruna, has launched the second edition of his Women Empowerment Programme, aimed at providing soft loans and skills training to thousands of women in the constituency as part of a broader effort to reduce poverty and promote economic independence.
Speaking at the launch held at Subinso No. 2, Hon. Haruna explained that the initiative is a continuation of his long-term vision to uplift women, strengthen household incomes, and promote inclusive community development across Wenchi.
The programme, being implemented in collaboration with the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), will benefit over 4,000 women, each of whom will receive soft loans starting from GHS 2,000 at a minimal interest rate of one percent, payable in monthly instalments.
According to the MP, the loans are open to all women within the Wenchi Constituency, irrespective of political affiliation, religion, or social background. “This programme is non-political. Every woman engaged in productive ventures — whether in trade, craft, or services — is eligible to apply and benefit,” he stressed.
Empowering Women, Transforming Communities
Hon. Haruna underscored that empowering women remains one of his core priorities as a legislator. He described women as “the backbone of local economies” and said supporting them with access to capital and training will yield long-term socio-economic benefits for Wenchi.
“Women are naturally hardworking, and when they are given the right opportunities, they transform their families and communities. That is why this initiative is central to my development agenda for Wenchi,” he told ExpressNewsGhana.
He added that the first edition of the Women Empowerment Programme, launched during his first term in office, had already yielded remarkable results — with many beneficiaries now running successful businesses in trade, catering, and artisanal production.
Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Support
In addition to financial assistance, beneficiaries will undergo skills development training in areas such as:
Pastry and baking production, Liquid soap and detergent making, Bead and craft design and Small-scale agro-processing and packaging
These vocational programmes are designed to help women establish sustainable sources of income and move beyond dependency on subsistence trading.
“The second edition of this empowerment programme is not only about providing money. It’s about building the capacity of women to acquire skills, manage businesses, and contribute meaningfully to Wenchi’s development agenda,” Hon. Haruna emphasized.
He reaffirmed his commitment to championing policies and community initiatives that promote gender equality, entrepreneurship, and poverty reduction, adding that women’s empowerment was a key pillar of his overall constituency development strategy.
“As your Member of Parliament and a member of the Local Government Committee of Parliament, I will continue to advocate for programmes that bring real change to the lives of our people. When we empower women, we empower entire communities,” he said.
Community Impact and Future Plans
Hon. Haruna disclosed that his office is working closely with local financial institutions and cooperatives to monitor the progress of beneficiaries, ensure timely loan repayments, and promote accountability and sustainability.
He further hinted that future phases of the programme would include digital literacy, financial management, and cooperative savings training — to help women expand their businesses and access new markets.
Community leaders, traders, and beneficiaries who attended the event lauded the MP for his continued commitment to grassroots development and for prioritizing women’s welfare in Wenchi.
One of the beneficiaries, Madam Lydia Amponsah, expressed gratitude, saying, “This programme has changed our lives. Many of us now have the means to support our families, pay school fees, and grow our small businesses. We are grateful to Hon. Haruna for thinking about us.”
The Wenchi MP’s Women Empowerment Programme forms part of a larger social intervention drive to improve livelihoods, reduce unemployment, and enhance productivity across the Bono Region.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com