Wives Of AshantiGold Ex-Miners Challenged With Ready Market For Vocation

The fall in gold prices on the international market saw over six thousand workers of AngloGold Ashanti losing their jobs last year.

To cushion families against the effects of the retrenchment, some non-governmental and civil society organizations have been supporting wives of the miners with training in vocational skills.

But the Mine Workers Wives Association off Ghana says members are challenged in accessing ready market for their non-traditional export products and horticultural produce.

General Secretary, Doris Appiah-Kubi complains the women have had to dispose off their products at cheap prices as they stay on shelves for too long.

“We are looking at a situation where we can extend our business outside Obuasi because when the redundant issue started, we are unable to sell our products.

She revealed, “It is only the local people who patronize our product but even on a low scale”.

Mrs. Appiah-Kubi explains members are excited at the vocational skills acquired by the many NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) but also need start-up capital.

“The help we want is in the area of set-up support”.

According to her, most participants from these vocational training workshops end up in their homes with their skills unused.

They want authorities to complement the skill training with support to access market for their products.

“When we get the training, we don’t get money to start our businesses, so in a way you end up redundant. So we are pleading with these organizations to give us funding in addition,” she added.

Even with those who manage to access loan facilities form the banks are challenged with the obvious high interest rates.

Mrs. Appiah-Kubi explains that paying back these loans has been very difficult for them affecting their business in the process.