Asantehene urges young school leavers to set up their own businesses

Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, Asantehene, has advised graduates from the country's Polytechnics and Vocational Institutions to cultivate the habit of going into self-employment rather than always looking up to the government for employment.

He said training programmes at the polytechnics and vocation institutions have been tailored in such a manner that after completion, graduates should be able to go into the informal sector by setting up their own businesses.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu gave the advice when he received 20 sets of benches presented to the Manhyia palace by the Anloga Carpenters Association (ACA) in Kumasi on Wednesday.

The benches estimated at 200,000 cedis, was the Association's contribution towards celebration of the "Awukudei", festival by the Manhyia palace.

The Asantehene said it was only when many graduates opt for the informal sector rather than the over-choked formal sector that the pace of growth and development of the economy could be accelerated.

While commending the ACA for their concern for the development of the region, Otumfuo Osei Tutu urged them to liaise with institutions like the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to enable them to benefit from facilities that will help them expand their businesses.

He also urged them to strive to avoid waste in their operations and rather consider adding value at all times to their product-lines, to enable them to penetrate the international market.

Reverend Togbe S.K. Fugah, President of the Small Scale Carpenters Association (SSCA), said development of quality education was the main concern of the association and will not relent in its efforts in assisting to achieve that.

He lauded the Asantehene for his efforts and strides at making education accessible to the poor but brilliant school pupils, through the setting up of the Otumfuo Education Fund.

Togbe Fugah assured the Asantehene that besides the donations of various sets of furniture, the Small Scale Carpenters Association are also committed to mobilising resources to support the Otumfuo Education Fund.