SAT supports 40 youth apprentices with training tools

Kumasi, May 29, GNA - The Sinapi Aba Trust (SAT) acting in concert with the Opportunity International Network, had presented tools valued at GH¢61, 000 to 40 young men and women, who received skill training under a programme launched by the Trust. The tools included sewing machines, tools for carpentry, dress maki ng, masonry and other trades. Mrs Theodisia Jackson, a Board Member of SAT, said the programme wa s meant to complement government's efforts at bringing down the high youth unemployment. She said they were of the firm conviction that idleness and the inability of most young people to lead economically independent lives was

the result of the lack of marketable vocational skills.

This unhealthy situation, she said, tended to increase their vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases including the deadly HIV/A IDS infection. Mrs Jackson said the intervention was, therefore, designed to equip

them with vocational and entrepreneurial skills to become self-supporting .. "As a Christian institution, our mission is to transform the lives of the needy is our core business", she added. She noted that the realization of the goal of improving the quality of lives of the youth could not be achieved if the trade-masters, apprentice s and parents did not accept to play their roles well. Mr Thomas Appiah Mensah, Youth Development Manager of the Trust, sa id they would effectively monitor the attitudes of beneficiaries towards the ir training and ensure that they acquired basic entrepreneurial skills. The training programme is being implemented in 13 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in seven out of the 10 regions. The number of beneficiaries is about 1,000.