Sirigu Women’s Co-operative Sheabutter Extraction Society appeals for electricity

A research finding conducted by the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) has indentified lack of electricity as the major problem affecting the operations of the Sirigu Women’s Co-operative Extraction society. It said though the group despite its large membership drive is unable to extract sheabutter in larger quantity to meet the current high demand of the product at both local and the international markets. Lack of electricity to the sheabutter extraction plant had affected the growth of the sheabutter production engaged by the group. Presenting the findings, a Service Provider to the group from BUSAC, Braimah Sanjage, recommended that the group be separated into two to help normalize their operations. Mr.  Sanjage was of the firm conviction that should electricity be extended to the plant it would not only impact on their manual way of processing sheabutter but also help reduce poverty among members since the processing of  sheabutter was their main income generating activity. Mr. Sanjage on behalf of the group appealed to government through the Kassena-Nankana West District Assembly to assist the women by providing them with electricity to boost sheabutter production. When this is done, the women would be able to produce much sheabutter for export. Adherence, he noted, would also better their living conditions. Mr Sanjage made the appeal at a sensitization programme held at Sirigu to brief members on the research findings by BUSAC.  In a related development Wesonomodaga Women Co-operative Raw Food Sellers Society Limited from Navrongo has also made a passionate appeal to the Kassena-Nankana Municipal assembly to expedite action by rehabilitating the Navrongo Central market to make it viable and congenial for traders. The main problem affecting the society has to do with their inability to display their wares since they are always crowded. The group, also at a day’s sensitization workshop, called on the municipal assembly to expand the market, to enable it meets the status of a municipality. Mr.  Sanjage who is also a service provider to the group said series of meetings involving stakeholders and the media would be held to deliberate on the way forward. For his part, the Upper East Regional Monitoring Officer for Busac Fund, Vincent Subbey urged all the group members to consider the project as their own since they are the sole beneficiaries.

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