The aspiring Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency, Mr. Solomon Jabari, has called on political leaders to prioritise the welfare and economic wellbeing of grassroots members whose sacrifices and commitment contribute significantly to the success of political parties.
According to him, party members at the grassroots level must not only be mobilised during election periods but should also be supported with meaningful economic opportunities that would improve their livelihoods.
Mr. Jabari made the call at Twedie in the Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency during the launch of the ‘Fund Me Go’ Business Support and Empowerment Programme, an initiative designed to provide financial and logistical support to selected party members across various branches in the constituency.
The programme, being spearheaded by Mr. Jabari and his team in collaboration with corporate bodies, is expected to provide beneficiaries with opportunities to establish or expand their businesses and become economically self-reliant.
Empowerment Programme.
Under the initiative, women interested in expanding their businesses will have access to flexible, low-interest loan facilities to enable them to increase their working capital and improve their businesses.
Men and young people will also benefit from a work-and-pay arrangement for tricycles and Aboboyaa, while tailors will be supported with sewing machines to enable them to expand their operations and create additional employment opportunities.
Mr. Jabari explained that the initiative was conceived in response to concerns expressed by some grassroots members who felt that their economic needs were not receiving adequate attention despite their contribution to the party’s electoral successes.
He said the programme was therefore intended to provide practical assistance to party members and reduce the frustrations associated with unemployment, lack of capital and limited access to productive resources.
Grassroots Welfare
Speaking to newsmen after the launch, Mr. Jabari said the welfare of grassroots members must remain a major priority for political leaders.
He noted that grassroots members were the backbone of every political organisation because they remained in constant contact with communities and worked tirelessly to mobilise support for their parties.
He therefore appealed to party leadership at all levels to put in place sustainable measures to reward and empower members whose efforts had contributed to the party’s return to government.
According to him, supporting grassroots members should go beyond verbal appreciation and promises, adding that tangible economic interventions could help improve their livelihoods and strengthen their commitment to the party.
Mr. Jabari said the ‘Fund Me Go’ initiative was his team’s modest contribution towards addressing some of the economic challenges confronting party members in the constituency.
He expressed the hope that beneficiaries would use the support responsibly to grow their businesses, create jobs and improve the economic conditions of their families.
Commendation.
The Deputy Women’s Organizer of the NDC, Barikisu Musah, commended Mr. Jabari and his team for introducing the empowerment programme.
She described the initiative as a positive intervention that could motivate grassroots members to remain committed to the development agenda of the government.
She urged the beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously and ensure that the resources and equipment provided were used for their intended purposes.
Madam Musah encouraged the beneficiaries, particularly the women, to invest in their businesses and work towards making them sustainable rather than relying on continuous support.
She said successful implementation of the initiative would not only benefit individual beneficiaries but could also contribute to improving the economic wellbeing of families and communities within the constituency.
Beneficiaries
Some branch executives who attended the launch expressed appreciation to Mr. Jabari and his team for the initiative.
They said the programme had come at a time when many party members were looking for opportunities to improve their economic circumstances.
They expressed their readiness to make good use of the support and ensure that the programme achieved its intended objectives.
They also called for the initiative to be sustained and expanded to cover more grassroots members in the various branches of the constituency.
The launch attracted party executives, prospective beneficiaries, supporters and other stakeholders who witnessed the unveiling of the programme and its various components.
