General Secretary of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has indicated that the next John Mahama administration in 2021 after winning the 2020 upcoming election will set aside specific fund for Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC).
To him, the purpose is to streamline the fund in a manner that every Ghanaian will know how much has been allocated to the centre every year in order to manage the funds very well.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, the NDC Chief Scribe said that governments in the past have not committed any specific amount to the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC).
He said that the Finance Ministers in the past releases whatever they like into the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) but has assured that the next Mahama administration will specifically wire 200 million every year into the MASLOC fund.
“It is in our manifesto that we will put aside specific amount [Ghc 200 million] for MASLOC every year. In the past, government did not have any commitment for MASLOC except that during budget the Finance Ministers release whatever they like into MASLOC fund”.
We have decided to streamline such funds very well so that everybody will know how much has been earmarked for the institution every year in order to manage the funds very well.
In the 2020 manifesto of the NDC, it has been captured that the next NDC government will enhance the operations of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to create jobs as part of our their “one million job plan”.
“Commit at least Ghc 200 million to MASLOC each year; form co-operatives of small artisans and traders and assist them with implements and small appropriate technological equipment for their trade e.g., corn millers, coconut sellers and oil palm producers; increase the minimum group amount to market women by one hundred percent (100%); work to increase the percentage of men who access loans from 10% to 40% and also establish a MASLOC office in each district.
Touching on the plan of the next Mahama administration in terms of MASLOC repayment, Mr Asiedu Nketia said they will come up with a repayment plan for the people to follow.
He again said that the disbursement of the MASLOC fund will be done that will focus on needy ones rather on the line of politics; thus, the next government will provide a specific flow of funds into the centre.
“First all of, the disbursement, we will as much as possible to depoliticise the disbursement and focus on need and also provide specific flow of funds into the institution”, he assured.
General Mosquito as he is affectionately called said that the NDC government will find a way to achieve their objective for the MASLOC as they have not gone into details as to whether MASLOC will be moved from the Presidency.
“We have not gone into details as to whether MASLOC will be moved from the President. When we come into power, we will know what to do to achieve our objective for the MASLOC”, he indicated.
