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The Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Kweku Ricketts Hagan has encouraged Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to commit more resources to the development of Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs). Mr. Kweku Ricketts Hagan made the call at the inception of a three-day training workshop in Sunyani for MDCEs and other members of the leadership of 161 Districts participating in the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP). Mr Hagan indicated that increased support from MDAs to SMEs will ultimately benefit the District Assemblies through increased taxes, property rates and levies as well as the general well-being of the citizenry. Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo reports that the REP is being financed by the government of Ghana, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Mr. Hagan pointed the Rural Enterprises Programme is an integral part of the government�s efforts to create wealth and reduce poverty in rural areas. The Deputy Trade Minister stated that the government of Ghana requested its development partners, IFAD and AfDB to support the REP which is in its third phase with 108 million Dollars. Mr Hagan asked MDCEs to ensure that the resources provided by the Rural Enterprises Programme are used effectively for the benefit of the rural poor. The National Director of REP, Kwasi Atta Antwi emphasized that the fulcrum of the Programme is demand driven. Mr, Atta Antwi told the District Assemblies that their ability to attract resources for rural enterprises development is tied to their preparedness to commit resources and also reached out to more people in their areas of jurisdiction.