NGO trains 625 in computer, catering service

Agona Nsaba (C/R), Jan 25, GNA - A total of 625 unemployed have been trained by the Self-Initiative Support Services (SISS) a Non-governmental Organisation to acquire various skills. They were given computer training, catering, batik tie and dye, soap making, beads making and modern methods of farming to enable them to become self reliant.

Mr Yaw Asante, Project Manager of the Organisation said apart from empowering the people mainly women, the NGO had embraced the crusade to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS disease since there was no known cure for the disease.

Speaking at a capacity building, monitoring and evaluation meeting of the beneficiaries at Agona Nsaba, Mr Asante disclosed that SISS was an affiliate of Anncasoc, an organisation promoting small-scale farming especially vegetable growers.

He said that the main objective of the SISS was to offer skill training to school dropouts, the unemployed and under privileged to improve their living standards.

Mr Asante who was accompanied by Mrs Victoria Agyei, Financial and Administrative Manager of SISS announced that the organisation has finalised plans to establish computer centres in the Agona District as well as Accra and other areas to train especially Police personnel, teachers, nurses, Prison Officers and school children to become computer literate free of charge.

The Project Manager said the NGO was supporting the income generating activities of groups at Aburi, Dodowa and Agona Nsaba with financial assistance to cultivate vegetables.

Mr Asante stated that it was sponsoring 50 unemployed at the Skill Training Enterprise Programme (STEP) at Madina in Accra in various trades including carpentry and masonry in support of the government's poverty reduction strategy.

Mr Alex Nkansah-Anyanful, Agona Nsaba Coordinator of Anncasoc said the organisation had three Vegetable Growers Associations at Agona Ninta, Seth Okain and Nkran it had given financial assistance to start their farms.

He said a women's group had also been assisted to commerce batik tie and dye, soap making and screen-printing at Nsaba.

The NGO also assisted the Agona Nsaba Eleven Wonders football club to gain promotion from the second division to the first division.