The Regional Social Development Fund Office in Kerewan recently held a series of sensitization programs with women groups engaged in various skills on Tie & Dye and Batik, Dry Fish and Pottery Associations in North Bank Region.

The objective of the sensitization was meant to set up Small Business Association (SBAs) to effectively contribute to poverty reduction. Karanta Ceesay Regional Fund Officer for North Bank Region speaking during a series of sensitisation meetings with women groups in Gunjur, Farafenni, Saaba, Kinteh kunda Janneh Ya, Njawara, Suwareh kunda and Kerewan of Lower Badibou explained to them the important of formulating associations that would effectively coordinate their activities and to help them in the acquisition of new skills, better marketing strategies and capacity building on production to meet the market demand.
 
The Regional SDF Boss underscores the important his office attaches to empowerment of potential groups and effectively contribute to poverty reduction and improve the living standard of the peoples and by extension provide micro finance facility to increase income capacity of individuals and groups. He applauded women for their contribution to poverty reduction through the acquisition of relevant skills and knowledge to enhance their participation and improve the livelihood of their families. Mr. Ceesay alluded that the formulation of apex bodies at the regional level would greatly facilitate in the mobilization of resources, sharing of best skills and promoting a better market outlets for their products. He assures that his office would continue to support them in the registration of the Associations across the region.

Mr. Ceesay uses the opportunity to urged development partners to use the established structures in the region as entry point of promoting reputable skills & knowledge and capacity building on resource mobilization so as to effectively contribute to poverty reduction and uplifting the status of women by contributing to better nutrition and health status of women. Mr Ceesay noted that his office would support the established structures on transfer of skills, management and financial administration to enable women groups to positive engaged in small business that would contribute to poverty reduction.
 
Speaking on the occasion Adama Fadera and Wandifa Cham Program Officers of SDF Regional Office in Kerewan echoed similar sentiments and emphasised the important on the formation of apex bodies. The setting up apex bodies would help to strengthen the gain already registered on skill development and improve the livelihood.

Haddy Camara Women Program Supervisor in Kerewan Commend SDF for complementing government efforts in promoting skills development and providing women with micro finance to enhance their participation in national development. She said the establishment of such apex bodies in the region would reduce high cost on some items . The alkalo of Gunjur Sadibou Barrow and Mariama Touray President of Pottery association thanks SDF for their foresight in bringing all stakeholders to share and learn best practises in the promoting of skills in the region.