BUSINESSES IN BAWKU EXPECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT UNDER PRESIDENT MILLS' GOVERNMENT

For along time now Bawku remains a business town for both local and international businesses.

The location of Bawku in the north eastern corridor of the country and the boundaries it shares with Togo and Burkina Faso does not only position it as a border town but serves as a place for constant but brisk business for all day and greater part of the might.

In spite of all the recent troubles the area has suffered, Bawku remains a business town and business as usual is brisk. However, one thing that has eluded the business men and women over the years is financial support or access to loans.

For this reason, businesses that have the potential to expand, either can not do so or do so with serious suffocating financial difficulties and challenges.

The multiple effects of theses challenges are enormous considering the fact that about 60% of the population is engaged in one form of business or another. For instance, the bulk of onions, water melons, sheanut, cattle, sheep, goats and Guinea fowls for the Ghanaian markets are from Bawku and surrounding areas.

Others also are engaged in the sale and distribution of motorbikes, mobile phones and accessories, satlight disc, merchandise, constructural works, petty trades, etc, all of these need financial support to survive.

The quality and beautiful smocks and other hand woven arts are simply in a class of their own and with a little support the results thereafter would be extremely admirable and beneficial to the economy of the country.

It couldn’t be captured well when the Bawku central NDC constituency treasurer Alhaji Mohammed Mashood said, “we know how to turn the fortune of our business around but the financial assistant is highly limited and difficult to access”.

Alhaji Mashood whiles congratulating President Mills and Vice President Mahama on their ascension to the high office of Ghana added, ‘we’re sure the president will give a boost to business in a form of financial support for them to flourish especially in Bawku where the difficulty has always been.

He was confident that the new administration per its manifesto will put in place programmes and policy to enhance businesses.

Alhaji Mashood intimated that the survival of business has a bearing on the consolidation of peace in Bawku because the booming of business will increase interaction among the people which will eventually lead to building of confidence and trust and subsequently bring about increase in peaceful co-existence.

Alhaji Mashood said the businesses have collateral security plus the extended family ties provide enough security for repayment of loans.

He therefore challenged banks to consider venturing into Bawku.

JAMES DORGBETOR ( BAWKU MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER)