CREDIT: HUDI YAHYA (ETO’O GH)
The Sissala East Municipal Assembly has provided support to four local groups 100 individuals by distributing essential equipment to enhance their capacity and efficiency.
The beneficiary groups included the Tumu Masons’ Association, Stadium Residential Soap Making Women Group, Pina Bead-Making Group, Bugubelle Soya Beans Processing Group, and Satellite Installers Group.
The equipment was presented at a ceremony on May 22, 2024, by the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Fuseini Yakubu Batong, and the Member of Parliament for the Sissala East Constituency, Hon. Issahaku Amidu Chinnia at the forecourt of Sissala East Municipal Assembly.
This initiative is part of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project, funded by the World Bank.
During the presentation, Hon. Fuseini Yakubu Batong explained the purpose of the presentation of the equipment and expected them then to be used for beneficial and life transforming purposes.
“All of you here were trained before you were given this training. So today, we have the masons’ association, Stadium Residential soap making women group, Pina bead-making group, Bugubelle soya beans processing group, and satellite installers group,” he stated.
He has also acknowledged the limited quantity of the items but emphasized their potential for widespread impact in the area.
“What we are giving you now is very scanty, so not everybody in the area can benefit from the equipment, but I believe that with these items we are handing over to you, you would intend to extend the impact to be felt at many other places. Also, at places where these items are scarce, you could hire them to other people for them to also use and through that you could earn some revenue to sustain your associations.” he added.
The MCE further reiterated the government’s commitment in reducing unemployment and idleness within the community through empowerment initiatives like this.
He also urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment, citing examples of individuals who have significantly improved their livelihoods through similar support schemes.
Municipal Planner Mr. Awal Ishawu provided a detailed breakdown of the equipment distributed to each group.
The masons received 30 wheelbarrows, 60 head pans, and 60 shovels with the e soya beans processing group receiving 10 bags of soya beans, 30 storage containers, 30 transparent containers, 30 ladles, 30 sieves, 30 measuring cups, and 30 metal pots.
The bead-making group received 30 pearl setting machines, 30 varied packs of beads, and 30 pieces of thread, among other items and the soap making group received 10 hydrometers, 5 gallons of palm oil, 5 palm kernels, 5 cutting boards and tables, 5 paraffin oil, 10 packages of vitamin E and chemicals, 10 grouse lines and hardeners, 10 mini bags of soda ash, 10 mini bags of salt, 10 sets of perfumes, 10 packs of oil colors, 10 containers and pet bottles, 10 wooden spoons, 10 measuring cups, and silicone molds among other items.
Mr. Basugu Baba, the patron of the masons’ association on behalf of the recipients, expressed deep gratitude of all the groups.
While acknowledging the significant support, Mr. Baba also appealed for additional essential items not included in the current provision.
