LOCAL NEWS
RIVERCESS COUNTY – Former Public Works Minister Ruth Coker Collins has launched a comprehensive community empowerment initiative in the Wheasaye Clan, aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment, strengthening local businesses, and enhancing youth engagement across several towns in Rivercess County.
By: Sampson W. Weah – sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
The three-day initiative brought together more than 150 women from 12 communities for intensive training under the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model.
The program is designed to support women in improving and expanding their businesses through structured savings, access to small loans, and better financial management practices.
The training focused on financial literacy, small enterprise development, structured savings, and cooperative lending, with the broader goal of strengthening household incomes and supporting sustainable, community-based businesses.
“When women are empowered with skills and access to opportunity, they don’t just support their households—they transform entire communities,” Coker Collins said.
Participants described the program as practical and impactful, noting that it has equipped them with essential skills to expand their businesses, manage finances more effectively, and achieve greater financial independence—particularly in rural areas where access to formal banking services remains limited.
In addition to the economic empowerment component, the initiative also featured youth-focused activities, including football and kickball tournaments involving six towns.
Coker Collins said the sporting events were designed to promote peacebuilding, strengthen community ties, and encourage positive youth engagement, while also providing a platform for talent development and social interaction.
Local leaders and stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely contribution to grassroots development.
They noted that combining women’s economic empowerment with youth engagement reflects a balanced and inclusive approach to addressing community needs.
The program aligns with key development priorities in Rivercess County, including expanding economic opportunities for women, strengthening community cohesion, increasing youth participation in constructive activities, and promoting inclusive, community-driven development.
Coker Collins said the initiative reflects a practical, results-oriented approach to development with a direct impact on livelihoods at the community level.
She added that the program is expected to serve as a model for scalable, community-based development across other parts of the county.
