By Dennis Peprah, GNA
Nsoatre, (Bono), May 15, GNA-Students, tutors and stakeholders of the Nsoatre Technical and Vocational Institute (NTVI) in the Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region, have welcomed the construction of a climate resilient training centre at the Institute with excitement.
The Accra-based TRACEF Construction and Engineering Limited is putting up the GHC6.5 million centre under the Rebuilding Youth and Women’s Livelihoods through Entrepreneurship and Employment Creation component of the Post COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP).
The stakeholders could not hide their joy when the Social Investment Fund (SIF) handed over the site for the construction of the project to the contractor, at the Institute, at Nsoatre.
“We never dreamt that the Institute could grow to this level,” Nana Korang Asimpi, the Gyaasehene (sub-chief) of the Nsoatre Traditional Council, stated and praised the government for the project.
He pledged the council’s readiness to provide lands for the execution of educational projects to advance the progressive growth of the institute, urging the authorities to build and strengthen collaboration with the council and other stakeholders.
Mr Gabriel Gyamfi, the Bono Regional Director of the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), noted that TVET remained key in tackling the nation’s youth unemployment challenge.
He said the project would boost practical training and enable the institute to churn out quality products for the labour market.
He advised families to take advantage of the project and encourage their children to opt for TVET, saying that TVET provided ready and decent jobs for graduates.
Mrs Georgina Ruth Paitoo, the Head of the Fashion Department (HoD) and a tutor at the institute who spoke to Ghana News Agency (GNA) expressed concern about inadequate workshops for practical studies, saying that the institute had converted a classroom for practical.
She said the converted workshop space was also small to contain about 51 Form One, 53 Form Two and 56 Form Three students for the practical, adding that, “even the heat alone here will make you tired.”
Describing the present condition as challenging, Mrs Paitoo said: “I was very amazed to hear that they are going to build a standard training center for us.
She thanked the government and its development partners.
Mr Frederick Kwasi Danwuur, the HoD for the Institute’s Department of Plumbing and Gas, expressed concern that the department ought to pay for contractors for the students to undertake the practical because of lack of tools and equipment.
He said the department had the expertise and therefore required tools like bending and welding machines, pipe cutters, PPR pipes, hacksaw blades, chisels and hammers as well as gas players, shifting spanners, shovel and pickaxe and screw drivers.
Miss Yaya Munaya, a Form Three student at the fashion department, noted that the construction of the centre would make the NTVI appealing, and expressed appreciation to the government for the project.
“We are very happy to get that standard training center because we often feel discouraged whenever we go for practical studies because of the present conditions of our workshops,” she stated.
Mr Alexander Sabi, the Principal of the NVTI, noted that the center would not only benefit the institute, but the entire Bono Region, saying that it would enhance practical skill training, youth empowerment and employability.
He said the institute could grow steadily through improved infrastructure development and appealed to the government and stakeholder support for additional workshops, staff common office, decent washroom facilities, dining and assembly hall and kitchen.
Mr Sabi said the institute had 1,169 students and called for support to fence it, and to address emerging security challenges and to ward off criminals who often invaded and attacked tutors and students.
He also appealed for 10 streetlight bulbs to improve security as well as more furniture for both students and tutors.
Earlier, Mr MacDonald Acquah, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, handed over the site on behalf of Mr Abass Adams-Nurudeen, the Chief Executive Officer of the SIF, saying that the project was expected to be completed within 12 months.
He said the center was designed to focus on wood technology, fashion design, and digital skills adding that it would also be furnished with modern equipment to provide students with practical competencies that align with emerging labour market demands and promote sustainable livelihoods.
In 2022, the Government of Ghana signed a five-year (2022–2027) agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to implement the (PSDPEP), being financed through a grant facility of US$28.5 million.
It seeks to contribute to Ghana’s sustainable post-COVID-19 recovery in the health sector, while supporting the restoration of livelihoods, income, employment opportunities, and private sector development.
GNA
Reporter: By Dennis Peprah
email: [email protected]