GDCA, partners train 60 youth in plaster panelling, agroprocessing

A total of 60 youth in the northern part of the country have undergone training on plaster panelling and agro-processing, to equip and empower them with self-employment skills to improve their livelihoods.

The six-month-long training involved six weeks of intensive training, four weeks of apprenticeship where the trainees were attached to master craftsmen, one week of entrepreneurship training and a period of other support training packages.

The training formed part of the project to help strengthen social cohesion in strategic cross-border areas (PARCS), which is funded by the French Development Agency and implemented by Acting for Life, a French organisation, and its partners in Ghana: Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), and Changing Lives in Innovative Partnerships.

The PARCS is a three-year project, which began in December 2022, intending to strengthen social cohesion in strategic cross-border territories as well as to support an inclusive socio-economic development of the territories.

Abdul-Hafiz Yussif, the Programme Officer, GDCA, speaking during the graduation of the trainees at Dalun in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region, underscored the importance of technical and vocational education, saying it promoted industrialisation and development of countries.

The trainees, who constituted the fourth cohort of the beneficiaries under the project, received certificates of completion from Ghana TVET Service as well as starter kits to help them in their work.

The graduation of the fourth cohort brought 240 the total number of beneficiaries under the project, who have undergone training in organic poultry production, organic vegetable production, tiling, and plumbing works.

Abdul-Hafiz said as part of their professional integration, the beneficiaries had been introduced to TVET authorities as well as linked to other industry players to enable them to integrate very well into their workspace.

He said: “The graduation is just the beginning of the training; there will be monthly follow-ups with them to assess their operations.”

Humaimatu Abdul-Wahab from Ghana TVET Service, Northern Regional Office, commended GDCA and partners for implementing the project, saying it complemented the government’s efforts at addressing youth unemployment in the country.

She advised the beneficiaries to approach their work with seriousness and use social media to promote and market their work.

Kofi Amadu Sheini, the Chereponi District Chief Executive, whose speech was read on his behalf, lauded the project, saying it had equipped the beneficiaries with skills that were in high demand in the district and would help drive the development of the area.

He assured the beneficiaries of the Assembly’s readiness to support them in any way to enable them to put the skills acquired to use.

Dalun-Lana Tapha Mahamadu (II), Chief of Dalun, who was represented during the graduation ceremony, advised the beneficiaries to put the skills they acquired to work and also work hard to improve their livelihoods.

The trainees expressed gratitude to the GDCA and partners for imparting to them skills to help them engage in decent work and contribute to the development of their communities.

Iddrisu Ahmed, one of the beneficiaries from the Karaga District, said, “After completing SHS, I was handicapped. Every time, I was in the house doing nothing. Then, I was given this opportunity to learn plaster panelling. I am very grateful for this opportunity, which will transform my life.”

Zenabu Ayaaba, another beneficiary from Bawku West District, who underwent training in agro-processing, said: “As I am leaving here today, I know how to process food, tom brown, cerelac and different kinds of drinks, such as using soyabeans to make soya milk and soya yoghurt. We also learnt how to process coconut oil, sesame oil, amongst others. Before I came here, I did not know how to do all those things.”