User talk:Nanabanyin Brown-Addo

Rural Enterprises Project (REP) II is part of the development program of the Government of Ghana to create wealth and reduce poverty in rural areas. It contributes directly to the Ghana Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II. The Project is funded mainly by the Government of Ghana, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Project goalItalic text

The goal of the REP-II is to contribute to the reduction of poverty and improvement in the living conditions of the rural poor, and especially increase the incomes of women and vulnerable groups through increased self and wage employment. The immediate project objective is to contribute to the development of competitive rural micro and small-scale enterprises (MSEs) in participating districts backed by good quality, relevant and sustainable support services

The project delivers good-quality, easily accessible and sustainable services in the rural areas to:Italic text ■stimulate the establishment and expansion of self-employment and microenterprises; ■strengthen the production techniques and management practices of existing MSEs; ■enhance the quality, design and packaging of the goods and services produced by rural MSEs; ■improve marketing; ■introduce environmentally friendly production techniques; ■increase access to working capital and investment funds; ■empower trade associations and client organizations, thus increasing their participation in decision making and policy dialogue at local and national levels. The Ministry of Trade & Industry (MoTI) is the Executing Agency for the Project.

Project Cost and FundingItalic text

The total cost of the Project is US$ 29.271 Million

Project Period and CoverageItalic text The Project is currently in its second phase for an eight-year period from June 2003 to 2011 and is being implemented in 53 districts in all regions nationwide. Phase one was implemented from 1995 to 2002 in 13 districts in the eco-transitional zone of the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Regions. Eleven of the 13 districts from the first phase were carried over to the current phase and given direct support for the first two years. The map below depicts the coverage area of the Project.

Project Implementation ArrangementsItalic text

REP is mainstreamed into the decentralized administrative and planning system and implemented at the district level through a partnership arrangement with participating District Assemblies, the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) and the GRATIS Foundation. The two key district-based implementing units of the Project are the Business Advisory Centres (BACs) and Rural Technology Facilities (RTFs).