Bamboo craftsmen get boost

Comfort Adjahoe-Jennings, an executive member of the African Women Entrepreneurs Programme (AWEP), has called on the youth to take advantage of the numerous opportunities in the bamboo industry by building their capacity in specialized institutions.

She said such an engagement would expose them to new trends in the industry and help them to develop a guideline for their lines of productions acceptable by the international market.

Mrs. Adjahoe-Jenning said this during the 5th graduation ceremony for 75 bamboo craftsmen, which coincided with the launch of Bamboo Craft Instructors Training Manual by the Centre for Development Partnership (CDP) in Accra.

She stated that bamboos abound in many places in the southern sector of Ghana.

She urged the youth in those areas to take advantage of the training modules offered by Centre for Development Partnerships (CDP).

Mrs. Adjahoe-Jennings also encouraged the craftsmen to also train others in the various communities.

The AWEP executive reiterated the need for them to ensure effective control measures.

Jennifer Brock, Executive Director of Centre for Development (CDP), in a remark, said the institution has the reputation of helping the youth in the country’s rural communities to build their capacity.

She said the training modules were designed to expose the craftsmen to designs that would meet international standards.

Ms Brocks, who is also an author, said each training session, which is held in a bamboo growing area, last for six months.

The Breman Asikumahene, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII commended the Centre for Development Partnerships (CDP) for helping the rural youth to gain entrepreneurial skills.

He also urged them to protect the natural bamboo grooves in the various areas where they operate, adding that they should also endeavour to save some of their earnings.