The National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) Executive Director has clarified that applying for government’s stimulus package under the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) is absolutely free.

Kosi Yankey Ayeh in an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show Tuesday noted that during the application period, people, particularly, in the rural parts of the country were duped to pay an amount of money in order to apply.

This, she stressed, is unacceptable, since her outfit has not designated any middlemen or agents to assist potential applicants with their applications.

“One of the major challenge was that there was a lot of people thinking that you have to pay, so in certain districts and towns, people were paying to get access.

“People were being told that ‘if you pay I will take you directly to the CEO if not, I will take out of the system’ and all of that are fraudulent and that is why I keep saying that this process is absolutely free,” she emphasised.

She, however, added that, “If you have challenges you can go to our business advisory centre [in the various districts] for assistance.”

Kosi Yankey Ayeh also complained about the numerous fraudulent applications that were detected during the process.

This, according to her, was unpatriotic since, in the time of emergency, where certain businesses had been badly affected by the pandemic others were trying to use crook means to make money.

“You will be amazed the number of letters we get in day from enterprise owners talking about some of the fraudulent activities.

“We have had to bring in national securities and the BNI at some point to take a look at certain situations that have come up. Eventually, some people have been arrested in certain regions and districts,” she said.