CDP signs an MOU with REP.

The Rural Enterprises Project (REP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Centre for Development Partnerships (CDP). The MOU was signed between the two parties on the 26th of November, 2009 covering a period of two years.

REP has the overall development goal to reduce poverty and improve living conditions in rural areas, and especially increase the incomes of women and vulnerable groups through increased self- and wage-employment in viable non-farm rural enterprises on sustainable basis.

CDP has a mission to ensure that target communities acquire productive skills to mobilize resources, the knowledge to manage them and apply these resources to socially useful outcomes. Its primary objective is to strengthen the capacity of Community Groups and Hometown Associations to enable them realize and build their assets so as to lead local development processes. CDP has launched the implementation of its Sustainable Livelihoods Project known as the Social Enterprise for Sustainable Community Development (SESCOD). The primary focus of the project is the promotion of bamboo craft with particular emphasis on the empowerment of women in bamboo craft for job creation and income generating.

REP and CDP share a common development agenda to promote bamboo craft and thriving micro and small scale enterprises that contribute to wealth creation and poverty reduction in the rural areas in particular and the country in general.

Following the above, REP and CDP seek to partner and cooperate with respect to enhancing the capacity of the entrepreneurial poor in bamboo craft as an income generating activity. The partners would also support existing bamboo craft rural micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to grow by producing better quality, more diversified and competitive products for the local and international markets. This would help to increase production, sales and income and enhance the growth and sustainability of the target rural MSEs.
REP and CDP will work together in REP participating districts, which are 66 districts spread in all the 10 administrative regions of Ghana. These districts include Kwahu North, Fanteakwa. Krachi West, North Tongu, Assin South, Mfantsiman, Dangme East, East Gonja, Zabzugu Tatale, Bawku West, Kassena Nankana, Nadowli, Sissala East, Amansie East, Adansi North, Dormaa, Sene. Mpohor-Wassa and Nzema East.

REP and CDP would work together and train target project clients in bamboo craft and appropriate technology. The focus of training would be on imparting functional skills to the target clients to enable them to produce a wide variety of high quality bamboo products including essential office and household furniture, personal care accessories and putting up of bamboo buildings. To ensure sustainable supply of raw materials, CDP will also train the community on how to grow more viable bamboo seedlings with shorter maturity period.