Apprentices in 34 districts get start-up kits

Kwame Danso (B/A), Aug 6, GNA- Over 1,700 apprentices in 34 selected districts in the country have been supported with "start-up kits", all worth about 300,000 Ghana cedis, since 2003, under the Rural Enterprise Project (REP).

Those who completed their training were presented with basic working tools and business equipment so that they could establish their own businesses.

Mr. Paul Amoako Adjei, Technical Training and Technology Promotion Officer for REP, announced these on Wednesday when he presented 10,500 Ghana cedis worth of start-up kits to 30 apprentices, who completed training in the Sene District of the Brong Ahafo Region, at Kwame Danso. They acquired skills in hairdressing, dressmaking, welding, vulcanizing, carpentry, among others

Government, the assembly, African Development Bank (ADB), and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) collaborated efforts to provide the package.

Mr. Adjei commended the assembly for contributing 2,000 Ghana cedis towards the procurement of the Kits for the apprentices. He said the Project, which was now operational in 66 centres in the regions, was aimed at alleviating poverty through income generating activities.

Mr. Adjei said this could be achieved through business development services, technology promotion and support for apprenticeship training, financial support to micro enterprise institutions including local trade associations.

He said that the Project, since its inception in 2003, had benefited over 121,500 people including 63,500 women. Mr Adjei said over 61,500 of the people were trained in various skills, business management, improved production processes, basic engineering skills and occupational safety.

He said banks have disbursed monies as credit to support over 2,600 micro and small enterprises out of which 59 per cent constituted women. Mr. Atta Boakye Jnr, Head of the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) in the district, commended government and all other sponsors of the kits and said BAC would support the programme. Mr. Ernest Boanyah Mensah, District Chief Executive, called on all stakeholders to contribute to the development of the private sector since it was the engine of growth of the economy GNA