A youth-led group, Friends of Prosper Initiative, says the Bolgatanga Central Constituency deserves better, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, women’s livelihoods and community development.
The group made this known during the presentation of GH¢80,000 in financial support to 69 widows as part of efforts to strengthen small-scale businesses and improve household incomes.
Speaking after the donation, a leading member of Friends of Prosper Initiative and Assembly Member for the Bolgatanga Soe Electoral Area, Lambert Akunzebe, said the intervention was driven by the group’s belief that women—especially widows—remain underserved in access to economic opportunities.
“As far as youth empowerment, women empowerment and community empowerment are concerned, Bolgatanga Central is lacking,” Akunzebe said. “That is why we are here—to support these widows financially and help them grow their businesses.”
Under the initiative, younger widows received GH¢2,000 each, while older widows received GH¢1,000. The funds were provided as interest-free support to enable beneficiaries to restock goods, expand businesses and meet basic household needs.
Akunzebe noted that many widows rely on bank loans to sustain their businesses but are often burdened by high interest rates, which limit growth and, in some cases, deepen financial hardship.
“Bank loans are not free. They come with interest and challenges,” he said. “So we decided, in our own way, to support these women. This support is interest-free. They are not required to pay it back.”
He said empowering widows has a ripple effect on families and communities, as women often reinvest earnings into their children’s education, healthcare and household welfare.
“If you empower a woman, you empower the entire constituency,” Akunzebe said. “They will go a long way to support their children, their families and their communities.”
Friends of Prosper Initiative said the donation marks the beginning of a broader women-empowerment agenda and pledged to extend similar support to other communities.
“Widows are everywhere across Ghana,” Akunzebe said. “This is just the beginning of many more things to come.”
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Bolgatanga
