Akatsi-North gets vocational school

A Vocational Institute solely financed by the Akatsi North District Assembly to provide job skills training for the youth, has been inaugurated at Ave-Afiadenyigba in the Volta Region.

It is housed in a five-room rehabilitated school block, built by the Roman Catholic Church for a similar project, but abandoned nearly three decades ago.

Mr. James Gunu, District Chief Executive (DCE), who inaugurated the facility and its 14-member interim board, blamed the current unemployment challenges of the country on the neglect of Technical-Vocational Education (TVET) by the country.

He said TVET is the only means to empower the youth to generate income for themselves and the country as a whole.

He observed that the strong value attached to TVET by advanced and emerging economic giants such as China, was high among reasons for the economic buoyancy and huge employment avenues for the youth of that country.

Mr Gunu said cellular phones and vehicle manufacturing for example, are being manufactured by skilled persons and therefore welcomed the upgrading of polytechnics into technical universities.

He said the Ave-Afiadenyigba-Gborhohome road linking the Ave-Afiadenyigba Vocational School, would soon be fixed.

He announced that, training equipment, including an industrial sewing machine, has been acquired ahead of the take-off of lessons in September.

Mr. Gunu said a tri-cycle motorbike for the school’s interim transportation needs, has been provided by the Assembly.

He said the school, for a start, would run a three-year subsidised Proficiency Training Programme. He said Master Craftsmanship Training and short courses for artisans to upgrade their skills in Electricals, Dressmaking and Catering would also be brought on board.

The DCE, asked the board to be innovative to grow the school.

He urged chiefs, the board, management and the people to provide adequate protection for the tools and equipment of the school to ensure that they are not stolen.

Madam Barbara Yeboah, the District Social Welfare and Community Development officer, also a member of the board, is interim head of the school.

Togbi Breku Brafo V, a chief of Ave-Afiadenyigba, said the school represents significant development to uplift education in the area.

In a related development, the DCE donated eight sewing machines and hair dryers from the Lordina Mahama Foundation to tailors and hairdressers.