The United States Ambassador in Ghana, Ms Pamela Bridgewater on Thursday begun a tour of the Upper East Region to inspect some Community Self-Help Projects funded by the Embassy in the area. Some of the communities visited included the Basket Weavers Cooperative Association at Gambibgo; Sherigu Women's Organisation for Pottery and Art (SWOPA) and Hivilak Gift World Finest, a basket marketing company in Bolgatanga. The Coordinator of the Gambibgo Basket Weavers Cooperative Association, Mr Ayamga John Awuyanaba, on behalf of the Association, expressed appreciation and said through the support of the Embassy, the Association had been able to build the capacity of its members and provided them with loans to undertake straw weaving. This has improved the quality of their products and subsequently, their living standards. "Many of our people, especially women, have been empowered economically and can now fend for themselves and their families." The Managing Director of Havilak Gift World Finest Basket Company, Mr Francis Danso, said the Company had employed a number of people in the area, especially the youth, thereby reducing the unemployment problem. The Ambassador, who was visibly impressed about the operation of the Embassy's Self-Help Projects, pledged further support and urged members of the group to work harder to empower themselves. "Bolgatanga Basket is the best among all the baskets on the world market," Ms. Bridgewater indicated, after having bought many of the products herself. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Boniface Gambila and some officials from the Regional Coordinating Council accompanied the Ambassador on her rounds. Source: GNA