The Ecumenical Association for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (ECASARD) is a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit-making organization. It is a decentralized network, established in 1991. ECASARD is operational in seven (7) regions of Southern and Middle Ghana; Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Volta, Western, Central, Eastern and Greater Accra.
The organization’s mission statement is to seek to reinforce and enhance the efforts of its member organizations in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) activities through gender sensitive networking, capacity building and advocacy in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Ultimately, it aims to enhance increased food production and reduce rural poverty by promoting technologies that are economically viable, socially just, culturally accepted and ecologically sound. Since the inception of ECASARD, it has mobilized 163 members comprising NGOs (both church and non-church) in conjunction with well-defined CBOs (Community Based Organizations).
The Kesimitim-Sawmill branch of ECASARD in the Western Region, through a thorough interaction with its clients, solicited for their opinions and concerns for the assessment of the organization’s progress, contributions and relations. Out of the approximately thirty (30) clients, a sizeable number of them shared with Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi, a national service employee of ECASARD (Kesimitim-Sawmill branch), their views about the organization.
Mrs. Maureen Thompson, a Seamstress and a client, noted that her business was at the verge of collapse until she received a flexible loan from ECASARD. She explained that the loan played a massive role in remedying her depression.
When implored the amount of money she requested for, Mrs. Thompson said 1300 Ghana cedis and added it was an invaluable amount to boost her business. She further notified that by virtue of the loan, she could rehabilitate her workplace and expand the tentacles of her business.
Another client, Mrs. Evelyn Okyere Asiedu, on three consecutive occasions, appealed for a loan worth 1000 Ghana cedis, 10800 Ghana cedis and 2000 Ghana cedis respectively. She confessed that her two-year timely encounter with ECASARD aided her to further her children’s education and also develop her trade.
Mrs. Vida Baidoo, petty trader, also added that her relationship with the organization has been fruitful since her trade blossomed as soon as she obtained a loan. The loan she explained assisted her to expedite the progress of the business, purchase a refrigerator for food storage and continue the children’s education. Her one-year loan guarantee was requested in two-fold.
The first package summed up to 1000 Ghana cedis and the second package; 1800 Ghana cedis. The clients further outlined that they have acquired a high profit margin.
They also expressed their undoubtful and genuine interest in working with ECASARD and affirmed the reliability of the organization.
Additionally, they assertively petitioned and encouraged other traders to see ECASARD as the breakthrough to achieving the progress of their businesses.
