Bolgatanga MP presents kit to shoe-shine boys

Bolgatanga, April 9, GNA - Mr Simon Abingya, MP for Bolgatanga Central, on Friday presented 61 shoe-shine boxes and tools valued at 2.5 million cedis to the Bolgatanga Shoeshine Boys Association.

The boxes include assorted shoe polish, brushes, nails, hammers, needles, twine and glue. Mr Abingya, who is also Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, said it is the government's determination to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to shelter, gainful employment, education and health facilities.

"In fulfilling this commitment, we have not overlooked the importance of marginalised groups like Shoeshine Boys because those of us in government today also had humble beginnings".

The MP advised members of the Association to take their education seriously and said they should regard their current activity as a part-time one, which would enable them to earn to supplement the efforts of their parents in providing their school needs and other requirements.

Mr Abingya asked them to resist the temptation to dissipate their earnings and to save to buy their own kit when the present one is exhausted. They should work as a group to qualify for assistance from the District Assembly's poverty alleviation fund.

Mr Adjei Nsoh, Chairman of the Association, thanked the MP for showing concern for their plight and gave the assurance that the kit would be used profitably.

The Upper East Regional Director of the National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI), Mr Alex Dogbe urged the Association to extend membership to Shoeshine Boys in other parts of the country.

Mr Dogbe said the NBSSI is prepared to organise workshops on business management for the group to make their vocation profitable. Mr Epsona Ayamga, Bolgatanga Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress advised them to ensure that their names appear in the voters' register to enable them to exercise their franchise.