Sepaase-Ashanti, Nov. 11, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday presented a cheque for 50 million cedis to the management of Ghana Chapter of Women's Aglow International (WAI) towards their Girls Vocational Complex Project at Sepaase in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District of Ashanti Region.
Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister presenting the cheque on behalf of President Kufuor, appealed to the private sector to complement Government's efforts to make education accessible to all and sundry.
He said such assistance would enhance Ghana's attainment of a middle-income status by 2015.
Mr Owusu-Ansah commended the management of Ghana Chapter of WAI for initiating the project and was optimistic it would boost empowerment of women at Sepaase and its environs.
In another development, management of First Data Western Union Foundation presented a cheque for 360 million cedis towards the project. Mrs Aida Diarra, West Africa Regional Director of the Foundation, presenting the cheque said it was part of their social responsibilities and called on the management of WAI to utilise the money effectively. Receiving the cheques, Mrs Dorothy Danso, National President of Ghana Chapter of WAI expressed appreciation to the donors for their kind gesture.
She said WAI was committed to support programmes and development projects that would empower women to improve on their living standards. Mrs Danso stressed the need for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to partner WAI to achieve its objectives since women played a key role in the nation's socio-economic development. The Aglow Girls Vocational Complex project, estimated at about 6.73 million dollars would train girls in craft and handiwork, catering, sewing, dressmaking, snail and mushroom farming, floral arrangement, textile and batik making.
Other courses are management, secretarial studies, bookkeeping, accounting, and communication skills.
The first phase of the project involving classrooms, hostel, administration block and accommodation for the Director and other staff estimated at about 2.5 million dollars is under construction.