A staunch member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed admiration for the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Sekondi, Lawyer Blay Nyameke Armah.
In an interview with the media, the woman who is a resident of the Sekondi constituency, revealed that the NDC PC recently saved her business from collapsing.
She mentioned that Lawyer Armah has already extended two interest-free loans of GHS 1,500 and GHS 3,000, which she is expected to repay within five months.
She also noted that her uncle, who has been involved in politics for more than 12 years and is affiliated with the NPP, has never offered her similar assistance.
“I am a strong NPP supporter but I want to let you know I that Lawyer Armah Blay who is with the NDC has won my heart. He has loaned me 1,500 and 3,000 GHS without interest and I am to pay in 5 months time. Lawyer Armah Blay is not in politics yet but look at what he is doing. My uncle has been in politics for more than 12 years but he has done nothing for me,” she added.
The NDC PC, recently introduced an initiative called the “Women’s Banking Promise,” offering interest-free loans to around 400 women traders in and around the Sekondi market.
Each trader who applied received an interest-free loan ranging from GHS 3,000 to GHS 7,000, to be repaid within five months.
Speaking at the distribution of the second batch of these interest-free loans, Lawyer Armah emphasized the vital role women play in families, explaining that the support is aimed at providing them with a solid foundation for their businesses.
He also highlighted that this initiative reflects the NDC’s broader commitment to creating a Women’s Bank, a key policy of their flagbearer, John Mahama.
“If you need to build a project, then you need a good foundation. Realising that the economy of Sekondi is basically fish trading, we decided to ensure a good foundation, which is enabling the market women to have a very good capital base. So that when NDC comes to power, and we are able to renovate or redevelop the Sekondi Market, the people in Sekondi Market would already have a very stable capital to enhance our economic activities. This will also empower the women because women play pivotal roles in their homes,” he said.
Lawyer Armah further noted that the traders’ diligence in repaying the initial loans has been impressive, which motivates him to sustain the scheme.
“Regarding the repayment in the first batch of soft loans, it was very fantastic, and I couldn’t believe it. This is because we all thought that we were going to have to chase them to repay the loans. But, by the time the collectors get to them, they would have them deposited with the group leaders and so the collectors just pick the money up to the Bank. ‘
“In the first batch of loans we gave them which is still ongoing, each beneficiary received GH2,000 and when you finish repaying, and you’re coming for your second loan after assessment, we increase it to GH3,000 and subsequently GHS5,000 and GH7,000,” he noted.
He added that as traders repay their initial loans, they are eligible for higher loan amounts in subsequent rounds, with loans increasing from GHS 2,000 to GHS 3,000, and eventually up to GHS 7,000.