The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, has described the proposal to create a Women’s Development Bank as a hit.

She believes the initiative will address the challenges women face with high interest rates on loans, particularly in rural areas.

Speaking ahead of the NDC manifesto launch on August 23, she noted that women in rural areas are particularly excited about the prospect of this bank.

"Women need help, and so this is a hit. I am just waiting for it because I’ll get a branch in my constituency," she told JoyNews’ Blessed Sogah.

• Read also: NDC government will establish a Women’s Development Bank – Prof Opoku-Agyemang

Her comments follow the NDC running mate, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s announcement that the next NDC government would establish a Women’s Development Bank.

Speaking at her outdooring ceremony, Prof Opoku-Agyemang emphasised that the bank would cater to small-scale businesswomen, including hawkers and others who do not rely on large capital to run their businesses.

"Women entrepreneurs must have access to capital for the entire sector to boost their businesses. That is why we will actively pursue the establishment of a Women's Development Bank to nurture and grow women-owned, women-led businesses.

Women must become millionaires too, through hard work, just as men do. Women do not need handouts; we need a hand-up. I envisage its board, including trading associations and cooperatives, fully represented and making decisions while being accountable to its members," she stated.

However, the proposal has been criticised by some who claim that the NDC is trying to play the ‘women’s card’ with the bank to gain a political advantage.

In response, Madam Tetteh-Agbotui refuted such claims.

According to the lawmaker, the proposal is genuinely aimed at addressing the needs and desires of women across the country, adding that "our manifesto is the people’s manifesto."

"Just look at them, from North to South, East to West; they really have a lot of challenges. So it is not propaganda, and we are not playing any women’s card. It is a fact, and we are responding to women’s needs," she affirmed.