The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has condemned claims of perpetuating acts of fleecing monies from the stimulus package being disbursed by the NBSSI from some private schools.
In a statement sighted by the Vaultz News, it revealed that, “the 4% deduction, this organization claims, is to cater for the credit facility processing charges and to facilitate speedy disbursement of the loan from NBSSI”.
The Association further dissociated itself from claims of extortion on the part of “this private school organization” and called on school proprietors not to pay “any amount to this organization or any individual”.
Reacting to the stance of the NBSSI, it noted that, not only have they “condemned the action of this organization” but the Board have consequently “reported their conduct to the security agencies to ensure that the law takes its course”
GNAPS stressed on the fact that no organization or individual or group must “dupe private schools to enrich themselves”.
The Association further commended the Executive Director of NBSSI and her staff for the transparent disbursement processes being rolled out this far.
“The Association has absolute faith and trust in NBSSI, and urges the Board to continue with its good works to see the entire disbursement process to finality. GNAPS assures its members that disbursement of the credit facility is currently on-going and those whose applications have been approved will soon benefit from the facility.
Additionally, it advised “schools which will benefit from this government support package to strictly apply the money for the intended purpose of stimulating their businesses out of recession back to growth.
“This is the only way that His Excellency President Nana Akuffo Addo’s noble intention of supporting business regeneration after COVID-19 will be realized”.
We have not contracted any Association to charge applicants- NBSSI
The National Board for Small Scale Industries discredited claims of charging applicants fees to qualify for government’s Coronavirus Alleviation Programme Business Support Scheme (CAP BuSS) on 4th September.
In a press release issued by the Board, it indicated that they have not charged anyone to collect fees on their behalf adding no fees are charged for the funds.
This comes on the back of several complaints with regard to the ongoing disbursements, as some individuals are purporting that some groups have taken recourse to charge some applicants before allowing them access the state funds.
“The attention of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has been drawn to media reports and queries by some applicants that some trade and business associations are requesting for fees from members on the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme Business Support Scheme (CAP BuSS)”.
According to the NBSSI, they have consequently not contracted the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) to charge processing fee of 4% with rebates of 3% to the Board.
“The NBSSI wants to state emphatically that we are not asking/have not contracted any Association to charge applicants. NBSSI has NOT ENGAGED any group, association or individual to discuss, collect or facilitate the collection of any charges on its behalf. Specifically, the Board has engaged GNACOPS on a number of issues and even queried them about the 4 per cent charges. We maintain that the charge by GNACOPS members is wrong and unacceptable”.
As a word of caution to applicants, the Board advised them to disregard any claims by GNACOPS that the Board is demanding an extra 3% in respect of the loans being granted under the CAP BuSS from their members.
