March 30, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
Sierra Leone President His Excellency Julius Maada Bio has over the weekend, promised the women of Kamakwie MUNAFA stimulus package. The President said he has provided the MUNAFA fund to cushion the adverse effect on business women and those that are struggling to established an enterprise.
He said women contribute to the economic growth and sustainable livelihood of their families and community. He said micro credit can be an effective tool to lift people out of poverty, financially, and empower and offer them genuine opportunities for personal development and education.
President Bio concluded, that the micro credit to women will enhance the ability of the poor households to increase income especially during the COVID-19 and to build asset and reduce their vulnerability in times of economic stress.
“I have launched the MUNAFA Micro Credit Fund in good fate to respond to the perennial poverty, I have made myself people-centered President in the national economy,” President Bio said.
He further stated that the initiative will give an equal opportunity that is opened to all Sierra Leoneans, not by political party, tribe, religion or region.
The President said Micro finance service leads to women empowerment by positively influencing their decision-making power and enhancing their overall socio-economic status. The President said in Sierra Leone according to the census 2015, women constitute the largest population; they make up about 52 percent of the population. Yet women have been disadvantaged in access to credit and other financial services.
President Bio said Micro finance offers women the chance to enter the public sphere as business women, expanding their roles beyond housewife to breadwinner.
He went on to say women participate in the economy by being involve involved economically, socially and politically within their communities they may advocate for changes that will better their own lives and other women.
He said more families will pay for their children medical bills and other utility bills, and women and girls to attend school if they see women putting their education to use.
The President said for women using micro finance, education is key to expand their businesses. He disclosed that many micro finance institutions are providing training for women in basic math, writing, policy and advocacy to better position them.
“We are happy over the step taken by the President to provide Micro Credit for the women of Kamakwie, Mariatu Dumbuya told A-Z.”
“The President wants to remove poverty from our faces, now I know President Bio is not a bad person as others were describing him, said Mamusu Koroma”.