The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in partnership with Aseda Foundation has presented start-up tools to 189 artisans to start their businesses, after successfully passing the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) examinations, and acquiring certificates in various trade areas.
They were trained in steel bending, interior decorations, event decoration, spraying, beads making, make-up, motor vehicle electricals, motor vehicle mechanics, dress making, hairdressing, tailoring, arc welding, gas welding, shoe making, bakery, cookery, masonry, pastry, carpentry, tiling, general electricals, plumbing and aluminum fabrication.
The tools provided included sewing machines, industrial machines, stand dryers, local ovens, polishing machines, aluminum cutting machines, spraying machines, acetylene and oxygen cylinders,
diagnostic machines, gas stoves, local oven cylinders, bench grinders, metal cutting machines and hacksaw frame complete.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GNPC Foundation, Dr Dominic Eduah, explained that the gesture aimed at empowering the artisans economically to help identify and add value to those in entrepreneurship in books and records keepings.
He was optimistic that, the NVTI certificates acquired by the artisans would ensure that, they gain confidence from their clients when rendering services to them.
Miss Diana Adjei, CEO of Aseda Foundation, stated that her foundation normally trained apprentices free of charge,but could not afford to provide them with start-up tools until GNPC Foundation came to their assistance with the start-up tools to start their businesses after graduating from the apprenticeship.
She said GNPC interventions were commendable and would go a long way to help the beneficiaries to improve their lives.
She urged them to also train other youth who would be interested in apprenticeship in impacting their lives positively towards reducing unemployment among the youth in the country.
Nana Okyere Kusi Ntramah, Paramount Chief of Asubenja Traditional Area, as chairman of the occasion, commended GNPC and Aseda Foundation for the laudable project and entreated them to consider consulting chiefs in the various communities in the selections of beneficiaries, to avoid discriminations in the selection processes.
Nana Baffuor Owusu Bediako, Paramount Chief of Asante Akyem Bompata, who graced the occasion, also urged the beneficiaries to take their specialist profession with all seriousness and train other youth to also benefit.
He reminded them that, “progress is not a gift but through hardworking”, and urged them to be hardworking to achieve the progress they were yearning for.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE,-
KUMASI
