The 57 women groups, who were also given vocational training in basket weaving, rice and shea nut processing among others, were also sensitised on the need to cultivate the habit of savings to improve on their livelihoods and reduce their financial burdens.

ADDRO is a registered development wing of the Anglican Diocese of Tamale and aims at assisting people and deprived communities to live dignified lives.

It operates in the Upper East, Upper West and the Northern Regions with the objective of promoting respect for human rights and ensuring sustainable development in rural communities.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, the Right Reverend Dr Jacob Ayeebo, the Executive Director of ADDRO, said the savings through education was part of the organisation’s numerous programmes introduced two years ago with 25 members in each group.

He explained that the economic situation in the region needed different dimensional approach; thus, women groups were formed and trained on how to save and maximise the little resources they had through businesses.

“The resources are with us, but how to realise that and improve on to derive maximum benefits has always been the problem. These women groups are educated on how to work together through savings that can be used to assist each other,” the Bishop added.

The Executive Director, who is also Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Tamale, noted that each group had unique operating scheme, which the organisation had no influence on, especially their model of savings and assistance.

He said “the groups operate according to the policies of each group. They run credit loans to assist members who need help.”

That, he said, had helped liberate many communities and families from extreme poverty and assisted others to meet basic daily needs and complemented the work of their husbands.

Gender Based Violence, especially against women, the Bishop indicated, were detrimental to the health of the women and the growth of children, adding that lots of efforts had been channelled to help fight against the menace.

Dr Ayeebo called for collective collaboration from all stakeholders to end negative social practices such as widowhood rites and the system of inheritance that discriminated against women.

He said ADDRO had also implemented a programme known as the Integrated Community Rehabilitation for the Physically Challenged to change the attitude and mind-set of people towards Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

He stressed that the programme, which covered most parts of the region, had educated and sensitised beneficiaries on the need to respect and protect PWDs through capacity building seminars and workshops.

“We support the physically challenged financially to start their own businesses such as woven chairs and baskets weaving. Some have also been loaned goats to rear and eye screening organised for the blind.”