The National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has warned applicants for the NBSSI/Mastercard Foundation’s Nkosuo to disregard any message soliciting money from them to complete the application form and qualify for the loan. According to the NBSSI, any such communication should be treated with contempt, as it is an avenue to dupe applicants.
A statement from the NBSSI said: “The attention of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has been drawn to alleged text messages requesting unapproved charges from NBSSI/Mastercard Foundation’s Nkosuo Programme applicants. The alleged message states that applicants are required to pay a fee of GH₵50 to ‘VODA CASH’ number 0206385999 as a processing fee for their Nkosuo applications.
“NBSSI, as an agency of state, wishes to categorically state the following: The Board has not sanctioned collection of any fee from applicants for processing their loan applications. Also, NBSSI does not own any VODA CASH account, and the NBSSI does not operate or have any other mobile number account.
The statement added that: “The NBSSI also noted that it has not contracted anybody to collect fees on its behalf, and has therefore cautioned the general public against the payment of fees to any person, group or association requesting such charges under the pretence of working with NBSSI or influencing the review and disbursement processes. The public is encouraged to report any such demands to the nearest police station”.
NBSSI said it has duly reported the case National Security for the necessary attention, and attempts have also been made to report the number to Vodafone Ghana. The telcos have been encouraged to assist NBSSI in flushing out such characters.
“We wish to inform all applicants that due diligence is currently going on. Soon, review of applications and disbursements of the Nkosuo loans will commence with assistance from the Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs). We therefore urge you to exercise patience as the procedures are carried out. Our commitment to supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises remains unwavering,” the statement ended.
