Two hundred and fifty-six apprentices and fifty-four master craftswomen have begun two vocations in the first phase of the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) in the Oti Region.
All of them are female seamstresses and hairdressers.
At the start of one of the programmes at Likpe-Todome in the Guan District of the Oti Region, six master-craftswomen were handed over equipment and tools to train 30 apprentices in the two vocations.
The items comprised sewing and industrial machines, scissors, hairdryer,rollers, towels, aprons among others.
So far, 24 mastercraft women have been provided with equipment and tools to train 120 apprentices in Nkwanta-South, Nkwanta-North, Biakoye and Guan Districts.
The remaining seven districts would soon be introduced to the programme.
Presentation
Presenting the items, the Member of Parliament for Guan, Fred Agbenyo, noted that the programme was one of the government’s flagship initiatives to combat the massive youth unemployment, and urged the youth to avail themselves of the opportunities to become self-employed.
He said the government was committed to supporting them throughout their training, then set them up with tools, equipment and funds to enable them to stand on their own feet.
Mr Agbenyo noted that the two trades were the first phase and that other trades, such as carpentry, would soon follow in good time.
The MP gave the assurance that all the mastercraft women would be compensated for the work they were doing, saying every apprentice would be set up after completing the programme.
The Guan District Chief Executive, Godfried Kofie Dukormevi, commended the government for the intervention that has benefited his people in the district.
Mr Dukormevi gave assurance that the programme’s beneficiaries would be monitored and supervised, which was the first of its kind in the district.
The Regional Coordinator of the NAP, Michael Mampah, hoped that the skill-training initiative being rolled out would be a panacea for the country’s unemployment problem.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
