By Charles Tawiah
Nkawie (Ash), March 13, GNA – The Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti region, has begun the National Apprenticeship Program (NAP) with the distribution of sewing machines to some 36 beneficiaries selected from communities in the area.
A total of 30 hand sewing machines were distributed to 30 fashion design apprentices, while six master craft persons received a sewing machine each to support the training programme.
Mr Wisdom Osei Boamah, the Municipal Chief Executive, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the exercise, said the sewing machines were valued at GHS 220,000.
He said the distribution marked the beginning of the NAP programme and the preprogramme would be implemented within the next four years.
Mr Boamah charged the beneficiaries to ensure that the machines were used for the intended purpose to help achieve the goals of the programme.
The successful training of the beneficiaries would help pave way for the expansion of the program to benefit other young people.
“Your success or failure at this pilot stage will have a vital impact on the programme, especially in our Municipality,” he stated.
He emphasised that, the programme formed part of President John Dramani Mahama and the government’s job creation agenda
Mr Boamah said the programme would be supervised closely to ensure its effectiveness and success.
He assured the apprentices of financial support within the learning period and the start-up money to establish their own enterprises after the training.
The apprentices will be awarded the Commission on Technical and Vocational Education Training (CTVET) certificate after the training.
Mr. Patrick Opoku Fofie, the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the program commended the Municipal Assembly for presenting the highest number of apprentices.
He called for co-operation between the master raft persons, the Assembly, parents, guardians and other stakeholders, to ensure the success of the program.
He said, every initiative needed the full commitment of all stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.
Mr Fofie advised the youth in other trades to unite and register for the program since it was not limited to only hairdressers, tailors and dressmakers.
He said mobile phones, television and radio repairers, carpenters and others, are potential beneficiaries of the program.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Benjamin Mensah