One Hundred and thirty-two young people from five communities in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region have graduated after completing a three-month training in technical and vocational skills.
The training was organised by Action Aid Ghana, a Non Governmental Organization under its Providing Employment Opportunities for Young people in Ghana project.
The beneficiaries were from the Dapooretindongo, Awaredone, Baare, Wakii and Gbeogo communities. The training was funded by the Medicor Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Liechtenstein.
The beneficiaries were trained in such skills as dressmaking, soap and pomade making, leather works, catering, basket and smock weaving, pastries, textile hand weaving, tiling, mobile phones repairs and satellite installation among others.
They further received working tools, equipment and other accessories to enable them start their own small businesses.
Graduation
At an exhibition and graduation ceremony held at Tongo, the Project Manager, Miss Terence Tienaah,explained that the project sought to provide technical and vocational skills to 531 people in four districts in three regions.
They are Talensi in the Upper East Region, Mion and Sagnarigu Municipalities in the Northern Region and Asutifi North District in the Ahafo Region.
Miss Tienaah said the project was aimed at contributing to empowering young people to engage in productive ventures to reduce poverty and migration among them.
She explained that apart from boosting the skills of trainees to produce quality products to take advantage of the demand market, the youth have further been equipped with marketing skills and financial literacy.
“The project will continue to engage the youth to ensure that their businesses thrived, we want them to either start their own businesses or gain meaningful employment in the private sector. If they are able to train or employ other youth in their respective communities, the poverty levels in the areas will be reduced,” she noted.
Miss Tienaah disclosed that the project was further working with the youth to advocate for the formulation and implementation of youth centered policies and programmes by policy makers to ensure youth participation and development to propel accelerated national development.
She said women empowerment was a priority to the NGO adding that about 65 percent of the beneficiaries were women especially those who had children.
The Centre Manager of Namalteng Integrated Vocational Training Institute,Mrs Umu-Salima Yahaya, who conducted the training for the youth urged them to use their newly acquired skills as stepping stones to achieve economic independence.
Appreciation
Two of the beneficiaries from Dapooretindongo and Baare communities,Mr Bright Akurugu and Miss Juliana Yinbil respectively, expressed gratitude to Action Aid Ghana and its funding partner.They both pledged to use the skills they have acquired to improve upon their respective livelihoods.
Source: Fiilafmonline/Graphic
