Sinapi Aba Trust in collaboration with Opportunity International have presented equipment valued at GH¢26, 649.00 to 77 youth in Dormaa Central Municipality to acquire entrepreneurial skills under the Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YAP).
The equipment, which include sewing machines, trowels, head pans, spirit level, manicure, soap among other items, were given to the beneficiaries to facilitate their acquisition of employable skills.
Margaret Owusu Asare, the National Coordinator, Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YAP), said the YAP concept was muted in 2003 and had trained more than 2,000 youth in seven regions including some towns in Brong – Ahafo Region such as Bechem where up to 200 youth were registered for the YAP and 20 in Berekum.
She said in Bechem, 50 out of the 200 youth who were registered for the apprenticeship programme had all become pregnant and were out of the training programme.
As a result, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between parents and guardians to monitor the children for them to go through the programme without getting pregnant.
She said 80 people were registered in Dormaa –Ahenkro but provision for the equipment was made for 77 people.
Mr. Gordon Asubonteng, Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Executive, commended Sinapi Aba Trust for their initiative to extend the Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YAP) to the Municipality.
He said it was the responsibility of both the government and the people to share the burden of ensuring the welfare of the people.
Nana Katakyie Ansu Gyeabour, Dormaa – Ahenkro Adomakomahene who presided, urged the beneficiaries to cultivate a savings culture and stay focussed and dedicated to their training to enhance their socio – economic standing.
