By Daniel Adu Darko
Nandom (UW), May 13, GNA -The Social Investment Fund (SIF) has handed over a site for the construction of the a climate-resilient technical and vocational training centre at St. John’s Technical Institute in Nandom, Upper West Region.
The GH¢6.74 million facility, expected to be completed within 12 months, forms part of the Post COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP) funded by the African Development Bank.
Mr Prosper Puo-Ire, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SIF, speaking at the site handover ceremony, said the project marked a significant step in efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education and training in underserved communities.
He said the initiative aligned with the Government’s agenda to expand access to practical skills training and address youth unemployment through employable technical and vocational skills.
The facility would comprise workshops for the electrical, building, welding and fabrication departments, a library, offices for heads of department, an administration block and separate washroom facilities for boys and girls.
Mr Puo-Ire said St. John’s Technical Institute was strategically positioned to serve communities within the Nandom Municipality, neighbouring districts and parts of Burkina Faso.
He said the centre would provide students with modern equipment and industry-oriented practical training.
“We want to move away from the conventional system where people only memorise and write examinations. The focus is now on practical skills for employability and job creation,” he said.
Mr Puo-Ire described the project as a game changer that would empower the youth to establish businesses and create employment opportunities.
Mr Anthony Zeniyele, the Nandom Municipal Chief Executive, commended SIF for the investment, saying the facility would improve teaching and learning and equip students with modern practical skills.
“Our students must be equipped with modern practical skills to compete favourably with others anywhere in the world,” he said.
He said the project was expected to benefit more than 2,000 young people within and around the municipality, adding that enrolment at the institute could increase significantly with improved infrastructure.
Dr Eric Twum, Environmental, Climate Change and Social Safeguards Specialist for the project, said climate resilience measures had been incorporated into the design and implementation of the facility.
He said climate-friendly materials, rainwater harvesting systems and other environmental sustainability measures had been integrated into the project, while trees affected during construction would be replaced at four times the number removed.
“The project is being implemented with a strong focus on climate resilience and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Knak Design Partnership, technical consultant for the project, and Brison Construction Company Limited assured the school authorities of completing and furnishing the facility within schedule.
The Nandom project is one of four climate-resilient training centres being constructed in the Upper West, Bono, Ashanti and Eastern Regions under the Post COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Daniel Adu Darko
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