River Gee County – The Superintendent of the River Gee County Marketing Association, Madam Comfort Raja Toe, has called on the government, development partners, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to establish a financial empowerment loan program for market women, stressing that improved access to capital is essential to expanding businesses and reducing poverty.
Madam Toe made the appeal during the dedication of a newly constructed US$20,000 mini-market facility in the Bassa Community of Fish-Town, where she emphasized that physical market infrastructure alone cannot transform the lives of traders.
She noted that women dominate the county’s markets and petty trading sector, with many operating on limited capital ranging from L$7,000 to L$10,000, while others lack the resources to start businesses altogether.
“If you do your own statistics, you will realize that many of the sellers are women, most of whom are single mothers,” she said. “They want to do real business, but they do not have enough money to invest.”
According to Madam Toe, a structured, low-interest loan program would enable hundreds of women to expand or establish businesses, increase household incomes, and better provide for their families.
She also highlighted the economic importance of River Gee’s major market days, saying financially empowered women would boost local commerce, create jobs, and strengthen the county’s economy.
