Grant agreement between USAID and National Council on Women and Development

The National Council on Women and Development (NCDW), a Ghanaian government agency, will implement the subproject. NCWD will help rural producers in Volta establish a cooperative which will own and operate the cassava processing center. Cooperative personnel will be trained in management, marketing, and accounting. Replication of the cassava processing component in two additional regions is planned. The potash center will be owned and operated commercially (at a small profit margin) by NCWD in order to make potash available to soapmakers (who are mainly women) at a price they can afford. The center will provide regular employment to 12-15 persons (also primarily women). Finally, NCWD"s capacity to assist rural women"s small enterpises will be strengthened through staff training and creation of a reference library. Follow-on grant agreement of 10/15/81 funds purchase of materials needed to complete the construction of the potash center. To bring the facility on-line, subproject activities will include the correction of kiln construction deficiencies; installation of necessary equipment; and staffing and training of personnel in production and commercial enterprise procedures. The grant will cover these and other start-up costs including salaries through 7/31/82. (PD-BAD-462)