Kintampo south: MIHOSO International, a non-governmental organization, with support from STAR Ghana Foundation, has launched a cooperative credit union aimed at providing financial assistance to local farmers, primarily women, in the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region.

According to Ghana News Agency, the newly established MIHOSO Cooperative Credit Union Limited, affiliated with MIHOSO International, will support approximately 300 farmer groups across the district by supplying modern farming inputs, organic fertilizers, and agro-chemicals to help expand their economic activities. Founded in 2003, MIHOSO aims to promote the well-being of vulnerable communities by offering public health services, social accountability, and community development interventions.

Dr. Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIHOSO International, described the credit union as a significant step towards alleviating poverty among farmers. He expressed gratitude to STAR Ghana for their support. In an interview at the inauguration of the Union in Jema, the district capital, Dr. Benarkuu stated that the Union would also offer financial literacy, business plan training, and alternative livelihood activities.

For over a decade, MIHOSO has worked directly with farmers through various projects, emphasizing the importance of savings. Dr. Benarkuu highlighted the need for financial and logistical support to complement the lucrative nature of farming, and stressed the importance of adopting modern farming methods to counter climate change challenges.

He indicated plans to extend the credit union to other communities and districts to foster local economic development and improve the socio-economic conditions of rural farmers. Dr. Benarkuu also mentioned a collaboration with an international partner to train farmers in the preparation and application of organic fertilizers.

Dr. Isaac Adaebsah, the CEO of GRATIS Foundation, praised the initiative, noting that the credit union would support government efforts to improve the livelihoods of women farmers and petty traders. He advised farmers to reduce unnecessary expenses and cultivate a savings culture as a path to financial independence and improved socio-economic status.

Dr. Adaebsah encouraged other farmers in the region to form and join cooperatives to access credit facilities and engage in sustainable commercial farming. Mr. Thomas Benarkuu, the Deputy CEO of MIHOSO in charge of Operations, urged local farmers to leverage the credit union for financial assistance and farm input access, emphasizing the importance of strengthening their groups.