Abigail Elorm Mensah has officially assumed office as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), outlining her commitment to supporting women farmers and improving loan recovery systems.
Speaking at a brief ceremony at the MASLOC headquarters on Monday, February 17, 2025, she emphasized her dedication to ensuring that female farmers receive fair value for their produce. This, she noted, would enable them to repay loans granted through the institution, strengthening MASLOC’s impact on small-scale entrepreneurs.
Mensah also highlighted plans to enhance MASLOC’s paperless system to streamline loan applications and improve efficiency. “Anybody who takes over an institution has the wish to move it to a higher height than their predecessor. My goal is to take MASLOC higher and make sure that we execute our mandate effectively,” she stated.
She acknowledged the work done by her predecessor, Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, but said she would first review the handing-over notes before addressing any outstanding concerns. “If there are issues to address, we will talk about them, and even if there are no issues, we will still talk about them,” she added.
Outgoing CEO Zakariah, in an interview with Citi News, expressed confidence in the foundation she had built. “MASLOC was previously seen as a very political institution, but from 2017 until now, we have introduced reforms that have transformed it into a professional body,” she noted.
As the new CEO settles into her role, expectations are high that her leadership will further strengthen MASLOC’s capacity to provide financial relief to small businesses, particularly those led by women in the agricultural sector.