Sixty women have begun a six-week intensive training in tractor operation and maintenance at the Adidome Farm Institute in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region.
The beneficiaries who are the second batch trainees under the “Women in the Driving Seat” (WiDS) programme, would be deployed to various parts of the country as tractor operators under the government’s Planting for Food and Job Programme.
The WiDS programme, launched by the government last year and implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, seeks to develop women’s skills in managing agriculture machinery and equipment.
The North Tongu District Chief Executive, Mr Thomas Moore Zonyra, speaking at the ceremony on Thursday said the government was committed to using agriculture to transform the economy.
According to him, the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda hinged on agriculture transformation towards making the country self-sufficient in order to export the excess to generate enough foreign exchange to develop other sectors of the economy.
Mr Zonyra stated that the skills they are being given would make them self- reliant, towards applying the necessary techniques to improve farming in their communities.
“Farming is a continuing process, that is why I am urging you to take the training seriously because the process of Planting for Food and Jobs rests on your shoulders hence your quick response to duty would determine how efficient and effective you are because farming is a continuing process,” he said.
The DCE stated that the Adidome Farm Institute was one of the best in the country and urged parents and potential agriculture students to take advantage of the courses and enrol.
The class prefect, Mrs Josephine Amenya of the Kpando Technical Institute on behalf of her colleagues promised to abide by the rules and regulations governing the programme.
“We promise to abide by the rules and regulations governing the programme in order to remain focused and end it successfully,” she added.
An official of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Frank Kwarteng Adu urged the beneficiaries to acquire the necessary documents before beginning to operate tractors.
The Assistant Headmaster of the Institute, Mr Vincent Pomary urged people interested in agriculture to take advantage of the minimum enrolment grade and be part of the history making process.
BY LAWRECNE VOMAFA-AKPALU
