GETrade-FPS presents straw to three basket weaving communities

Bolgatanga, July 28, GNA - Ghana Export Trade (GETrade) Fair Trade Producers Society (FPS), exporters of handicrafts, especially Bolga- made baskets has presented 40 bundles of straw worth 29,861,000 million cedis to three basket weaving communities within the Bolgatanga District.

The presentation, which is the fourth since the society's operation in 1990, would benefit weavers from Nyariga, Sumbrungu and Gambibgo. Mr Michael Ofosuhene-Wise, secretary to the society said the presentation is part of an annual straw bonus programme that is stored for the producers to rely on during the lean season when the raw material is scarce and costly.

He said by this procedure, the society is sure of continuous supply of the basket at a fixed price since weavers would not have to buy the straw at exorbitant price from the market.

Mr Ofosuhene-Wise also announced the society's long-term support education plan for producers and their children to uplift their standard of living.

He said the plan involved a total of 335,000 US dollars to promote 256 children through school within a ten-year period and also to train beneficiaries the art of weaving improved handicrafts to enable children to return to the business after their education.

The chairman of the local Fair Trade Producers Association, Mr Aberigu Suleimana thanked the donors for their good intentions, saying that it would help promote their businesses.

He was grateful for the educational plan and pledged that with the support they would not let the society down.