The Savings Banks for International Cooperation (SBIC), a non-governmental organization concerned with providing people in developing countries with access financial services has presented 12 Ghanaians with loans totaling GHS 135,984 as part of an effort to combat irregular migration.
The beneficiaries of the loan facility are Mr Abdallah Osman (GHS14,600), Mr Abdulai Zakaria (GHS11,190), Madam Faida Boye (GHS12, 384), Mr Michael Danso Nuak (GHS24,000), Madam Barbara Asman (GHS13,750), Mr Ijahra Larry (GHS13,170), Mr David Lawson (GHS3,500), Mr Emmanuel Senanu (GHS15,200), Madam Grace Kagbo (GHS,740), Madam Magdalene Ontoba (GHS9,000), Madam Yvonne Mensah (GHS7,600) and Hagar Nketia (GHS7,850).
According to Miss Maike Ewuntomah, the Project Coordinator of the SBIC the loans are part of a pilot project called “Perspektiv Heimat” which aims to remind prospective migrants and returnees of financial opportunities that exist in their home countries and eid them to set-up businesses.
She said the beneficiaries were selected through a collaborative effort with the Ghanaian-German Centre for Job Creation and Migration and local NGOs involved in migration and were later taken through a year-long training and coaching programme.
“It is after the training and coaching that the people (beneficiaries) present a proposal and a budget for what they want to do to a small committee that decides on the feasibility of what they want to do and the funds required,” Miss Ewuntomah told the Daily Graphic last Friday (September 20) in an interview on the sidelines of the presentation.
“We also provide membership to Credit Unions for all the trainees which grant them access to loans after six months. The interest rates with the credit unions is generally below 20%, it’s is around 16-19 and they payback within a time of 24 months”.
Mr Kwang-Yung Jung, the Regional Representative of the (SBIC) assured the beneficiaries of the support of his outfit adding that they have a huge responsibility to ensure that Perspektiv Heimat was a success.
