By Christine Naadu Lartey, GNA
Tema, March 03, GNA – Four master-craftsmen and 45 apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) have received start-up kits at a National Equipment Distribution Ceremony held in the Tema West Municipality.
Mr James Enu, Member of Parliament for Tema West, and Mr Ludwig Teye Totimeh, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), supervised the distribution of the equipment.
The start-up kits comprise sewing machines, hair dryers, welding protective boots, auto-mechanic tool sets, hacksaws and mannequin heads for wig-making.
The initiative forms part of efforts to promote employment and vocational skills development, while easing the financial burden on families by equipping young Ghanaians with essential tools for their respective trades.
Mr Enu described the start-up kits as “a fishing rod rather than just a gift”, explaining that the tools provided beneficiaries with a sustainable pathway to economic independence.
He urged the apprentices to remain humble and diligent, stating that government had shifted its focus from solely infrastructural development to investing in human capital.
“While roads and buildings may deteriorate over time, investing in people creates a lasting impact on national development,” he said.
Mr Totimeh expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as the fulfilment of a promise to support skills development across the country.
He said the distribution of the tools had brought joy to local artisans and trainees, reaffirming the government’s commitment to youth empowerment.
The MCE, however, cautioned beneficiaries against selling or misusing the equipment and announced that dedicated monitoring teams would conduct periodic and unannounced visits to workshops to ensure that the tools were used strictly for their intended purpose.
“It should not be that we present these tools today and by next month some are broken or missing. We will follow up to ensure they are properly maintained and utilised,” Mr Totimeh stated.
Mr Jones Klutse, Greater Accra Regional Coordinator for the National Apprenticeship Programme, said the 45 apprentices and four master craftsmen enrolled under the programme received the equipment as part of the first phase of the initiative.
Mr Klutse explained that although the programme officially commenced in October last year, distribution remained ongoing as additional consignments arrived.
He revealed that the programme included a structured support system where both master craftsmen and apprentices received stipends to facilitate the training process.
“The masters have signed contracts and understand their obligations. Apprentices are expected to be diligent and complete their training, which ranges from six months to one and a half years depending on the trade,” he said.
Officials indicated that the National Apprenticeship Programme was being implemented in phases and assured those who had not benefited in the first tranche that a second batch of distributions was forthcoming.
They pledged to continue engaging hairdressers, seamstresses and artisan associations across the municipality to ensure broader support for vocational trainees.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/George-Ramsey Benamba