Beneficiaries of Rural Enterprises Project to mount Trade Show

Accra, Aug. 24, GNA- Rural Enterprises Project (REP), an integrated rural development programme, dealing with poverty alleviation in the rural areas, would mount a Trade Show for its beneficiary districts and clients from August 30 to September 4 at Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region.

A statement in Accra on Tuesday signed by Mr Edward Nsenkyire, Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment and Science, said the Minister, Professor Kasim Kasanga would address a durbar to open the Show to be followed by the exhibition at the Omanhene's Park at Berekum on August 30.

Participants from more than 50 districts would exhibit wares, including simple agro-processing machinery, electrical appliances, textiles, crafts, radios, sophisticated but appropriate technologies wholly developed and manufactured by the local indigenes with support from the project.

The REP, which is in it second phase, is designed to assist rural families living in poverty with special attention to the most vulnerable households, as component of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS). The government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and African Development Bank (ADB) are funding the project.

Another major feature of the project is the promotion of rural technology facilities, establishment of rural technology services centres, which upgrade skills of artisans and craftsmen, apprenticeship training and transfer of appropriate and demand-driven technologies. Since its inception in 1995 with 13 districts in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions, the project has expanded its operations to 53 districts spread across all the 10 regions.