Skills development essential to reducing youth unemployment
The Director of EKGS Culinary Institute, Mrs Efua Otua Goode Obeng Kyei, a private culinary training school based in Accra has urged government to harness the potential of the hospitality industry in order to reduce unemployment and poverty in the country.
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According to Mrs Goode, at this stage of Ghana's development, acquiring useful skills will not only empower one with employable skills but also help in developmental efforts.
She explained that the culinary sub- sector of the hospitality industry could create sustainable employment and reduce poverty in the country.
She was speaking at the Institute's 36th Graduation Ceremony in Accra Sunday.
A total of 105 graduates received certificates in Cake Making and Sugar Arts, Pastry Making, Cookery, and Balloon, Ribbon and Floral Arts after six months of training.
Mrs Goode advised government to support practitioners by giving them soft loans which will help expand their facilities and attract other unskilled youth on the streets to pursue courses in the culinary sector.
Touching on the 2016 general elections, she advised Ghanaians to exhibit the highest form of decency, decorum and respect for one another in order to see the elections through successfully.
Speaking on the theme "Harnessing the potential of the Youth to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)", Dr. Mrs. Ellen Hagan - CEO, L'aine services said there has been an unprecedented drive towards achieving the goals and the youth will play a crucial role in that process.
Mrs Hagan asserted that one of the ways to curb the rising numbers of unemployment figures is to instill employable skills in the youth.
"To address the challenges faced by the youth, efforts should be made in investing, inclusion in the decision making process and empowering them to become agents of change", she said.
According to her small and medium scale enterprises SMEs founded by entrepreneurs account for 60 to 70 per cent of jobs in the country.
She added that in order to bridge the employment gap, it is necessary to promote gender equality and empower women which according to her increases economic opportunity for women and girls.
She commended the founder of the EKGS Culinary for establishing an institution that trains young people with vital skills that makes them self-employed.
"This is how unemployment can be decreased, poverty reduced and economic development accelerated," she added.
There were exhibitions of creative designs of Cake and Sugar Arts, Pastry, Ribbon and Floral Arts by the students.
