Why is next Yendi MP ABIBATA SHANNI ZACHARIA insisting on folding up MASLOC Bawku operations for the WOMEN to suffer?

MASLOC is a state agency responsible for giving small loans to small scale businesses to thrive and expand. The CEO of MASLOC is Abibata Shanni Mahama Zacharia who is focusing on her campaign to be the next NPP MP for Yendi.

Suddenly, she has closed down MASLOC operations in Bawku and transferred her staff to Bolgatanga.

Does she want the Bawku women to suffer?

That is a very interesting, shortsighted, and unilluminating decision with far reaching consequences!

Abibata Shanni Mahama Zacharia must know this reality:

THE WOMEN OF BAWKU SHOULD NEVER BE ABANDONED TO THEIR FATE. THE CONFLICT IN BAWKU IS NOT OF THEIR MAKING. THEY SHOULD BE SPARED THE RESIDUAL EFFECTS AND COLLATERAL DAMAGE!

MASLOC records indicate that from 2018 till date, 54 persons/entities in Bawku were granted loans totalling 1,282,800 cedis, and 104,595 cedis were recovered. What is outstanding is 1,178,205 cedis, the recovery of which was impacted by the outbreak of conflict in November/December, 2021 – A FORCE MAJEURE!!

MASLOC had two hardworking, bold, fearless and resilient staff who were responsible for the company’s operations in the Bawku Central, Pusiga, Garu, Tempane and Binduri constituencies.

Why are they being transferred to Bolgatanga?

Mercy Atule, MASLOC Regional Manager, is reportedly telling her Party bigwigs in the Upper East Region that she is not closing down Bawku Operations and that she is only doing staff rotation!! Laughable!!

Abibata Shanni Mahama Zacharia is reportedly telling Senior Givernment Officials at the Presidency that it is her staff who requested to leave Bawku for security reasons. Laughable!!

Abibata Shanni Mahama Zacharia and Mercy Atule don’t live with us in Bawku. So, they may not be aware that MASLOC can appeal to Colonel Antwi Darkwa and ACP Adofiem to provide security for their staff to undertake Client- Masloc business engagements – the same way the joint Military/Police teams provide security for staff and installations of Banks, Presby Hospital, Presby Nursing School, Gridco/Nedco, fuel stations, etc.

To Abibata Shanni Mahama Zacharia I have this piece of caution: It is bad optics to close down the MASLOC Bawku operations and transfer staff to Bolgatanga (which is also saddled with the Bolgatanga Chieftaincy conflict). Have Abibata Shanni Mahama Zacharia and Mercy Atule not being seeing armed soldiers guarding the rival chieftaincy factions in the centre of Bolgatanga?

If insecurity in Bawku is a concern to her, Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakaria should consider the following optiins:

(1). Consult stakeholders and relocate the MASLOC office from the Bawku Municipal Assembly to any of the districts in the Kusaug Traditional Area, preferably the Pusiga District Assembly which is about 11 km away from the Bawku Municipal Assembly.

(2). Employ three (3) additional fieldstaff to augment the staff strength of two (2) handling the work load in Bawku Central, Pusiga, Garu,Tempane and Binduri general area.

(3). Provide motorbikes for MASLOC staff to use in the field, except in Bawku Central (where riding of motobikes is banned).

(4). LIAISE WITH THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND THE HEAD OF THE LIVELIHOOD EMPOWERMENT AGAINST POVERT (LEAP) SECRETARIAT TO DEVELOPE AN ENHANCED LEAP PROGRAM FOR BAWKU – TO PROVIDE CASH AND OTHER POVERTY ALLEVIATION PACKAGES TO THE HARD WORKING, RESILIENT, LONG SUFFERING WOMEN OF BAWKU

Should MASLOC go ahead to close down its Bawku operations and avandon the women of Bawku, Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah will be doing an act detrimental to the welfare of the People of Bawku. MASLOC and the CHIEF OF STAFF will suffer a long lasting collateral damage!

I shall return.

Owula Mangortey
Bawku
31st July, 2023