25 Youth graduate in vocational training modules in Navrongo
Twenty-five youth have been trained in batik, tie-and-dye making, soap making, beads making, dressmaking and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) vocational modules in Navrongo in the Upper East Region.
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The training was organised by Our Lady of Mercy Community Services (OLAM), in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development.
Most of the beneficiaries are school drop outs and graduates of junior and senior high schools who could not continue their education due to financial challenges.
Apart from the training, the beneficiaries received start-up capital in the form of equipment and also took home certificates.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Navrongo, the Project Director of OLAM, Mr Emmanuel Atiiga, explained that the NGO had been operating in northern Ghana since 2005 with the aim of empowering underprivileged communities, women and children towards poverty reduction and community development.
Development of skills
“Over the years, we have done a lot in our operational areas and have achieved great results. We extended micro-credit to women’s groups in communities such as Nakolo, Vunania, Nogsenia, Saka and surrounding communities in 2006/2007 and not less than150 women benefited. We have trained over 300 young girls, SHS and JHS students in basic computing and Internet application.
“We have given skills training to another 350 women and girls in the various vocational courses and entrepreneurship development with support from COTVET-SDF, the Ghanaman Trust Fund, OSIWA-SENEGAL and Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW-UK),” Mr Atiiga said.
Benefits of training
He said many of the youth who had passed out of the vocational training centre had set up their own shops and were producing standard products for many people and institutions.
He entreated the current students to put to good use the knowledge acquired to fend for themselves and their families.
One of the past students of the training centre, 42-year-old Mrs Faustina Mayila, said before she enrolled at the centre, she was selling sachet water and used to trek long distances to schools in the municipality to sell.
“After the training, I set up my own shop, with assistance from the training institution, and now I produce batik, tie-and-dye, soap, beads and dresses on contract basis for institutions such as the Ghana Health Service and the Community Health Nursing Training College in Navrongo.
“I am now economically empowered and I support my husband to pay the children’s school fees. I am also into rice farming,” she said.
Dr Stanislaus Alu Kandingdi, the Navrongo Municipal Chief Executive, commended the NGO for complementing the efforts of the government in training and empowering the youth in the areas of employment creation, promoting peace, climate change, as well as addressing issues relating to women and children.
