The CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, has led the institution in donating logistics in the form of learning materials to the Complementary Education Agency in Yendi.

The event which took place on Saturday at the premises of Yendi community centre saw the agency receive support from MASLOC in respect of learning materials to assist apprentices, and junior and senior high school dropouts to acquire numeracy and basic English language skills.

At a ceremony to present the items to the agency, Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah stated that MASLOC’s decision to extend support for the agency was prompted by a request to the institution by the Complementary Education Agency for logistical support in the form of learning materials to help them carry out their activities in the municipality.

The learning materials included 500 exercise books, 100 D2 arithmetic, 200 A1 and A2 exercise books, 100 G for drawing books, four boxes each of erasers, pens, pencils, and markers, 100 pieces of my first copy books, and some course textbooks for mathematics, English language, science, social studies, and teachers copies.

She emphasised that she has been observing the agency’s work for a long time and can attest to the impact the agency is making in the lives of young people by equipping them with basic literacy skills despite their many challenges and limited resources.

MASLOC’s support for the agency strengthens the institution’s efforts to ensure that the youth receive support through education, skills training, and empowerment for disadvantaged individuals who, through no fault of their own, could not attain higher education she added.

Receiving the materials on behalf of the agency, the Municipal Director of CEA, Mohammed Iddrisu Alhassan, praised MASLOC for meeting their request and guaranteed the CEO that the items would be put to good use.

He further stated that the distribution of these learning materials will assist the agency in efficiently running remedial courses developed for SHS and JHS dropouts who are mostly females in dressmaking enterprises as apprentices to allow them to acquire basic English literacy and arithmetics.

Municipal Director for the Ghana Education Service (GES) Yendi, Iddrisu Amadu further expressed his gratitude to MASLOC and the CEO for their efforts in ensuring all who seek education are not marginalised.

He praised the institution’s corporate social responsibility efforts and asked other institutions to follow suit to guarantee that the disadvantaged members of society are not left behind.

The Complementary Education Agency which is an expansion to the previous Non-formal Education Division (NFED) of the Ministry of Education was established by CEA Act 2020 (Act 1055) to oversee the provision and administration of quality complementary education in Ghana.

In addition, the CEO of MASLOC, Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah also took time to deliver a message on behalf of the institution during a Menstrual Hygiene Day event organised by the PAGBA SAHA FOUNDATION at the Yendi Girls Senior High School.

The event that seeks to promote a global advocacy platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector, and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene.

Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah urged parents to pay particular attention to their children’s reproductive health, especially that of their female children, in her address to the gathering.

She emphasized that the lack of education, enduring taboos, stigmatisation, limited access to hygienic menstrual products, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure are the main causes of poor menstrual hygiene, which also prevents women and girls from realising their full potential and minimises their educational opportunities, health, and general social status around the world.

The CEO of MASLOC, who has been noted for her stellar leadership abilities and commitment to enhancing livelihoods, was presented with a special citation in recognition of her accomplishments for being a driving force in empowering Ghanaian entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth, through facilitating access to affordable loans and financial support for businesses in the micro and small enterprises across the country.