By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, July 22, GNA – Twenty-five female head porters have completed vocational and life skills training under the Kayayei Assistance Project (KASPRO) to improve their livelihoods and reduce vulnerability to exploitation.
The beneficiaries underwent a year-long programme combining vocational training with education on sexual and reproductive health and rights and prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.
Speaking at a ceremony in Accra, Dr Wilfred Ochan, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana Country Representative, said the initiative aimed to provide vulnerable young women with sustainable livelihood opportunities while equipping them with life skills to protect themselves from exploitation.
He said more than 2,000 female head porters had benefited from the project since its inception in 2020.
KASPRO is implemented by UNFPA Ghana with support from Prudential Life Insurance Ghana.
The programme, implemented in partnership with the Purim African Youth Development Platform (PAYDP) and Mckingtorch Africa, provided training in painting, tiling, dressmaking, shoemaking and waste recycling.
Dr Ochan noted that some beneficiaries had received training in painting and tiling, occupations traditionally dominated by men.
He said participants had also been educated on reproductive health, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, protection against sexual exploitation and response to gender-based violence.
“Our intention is to combine livelihood and living skills into a model that can inform government policies and programmes targeting vulnerable populations,” he said.
Madam Rose Sarr, UNFPA Regional Liaison at the African Union, congratulated the graduates for acquiring skills to improve their lives.
“The fact that you decided to change the trajectory of your life deserves applause,” she said.
Madam Sarr encouraged the women to pursue careers beyond traditional occupations for women and continue supporting one another while standing up for their rights.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mabel Danwah-Leo, who trained as a tiler, said the programme had equipped her with a professional skill that had transformed her life.
She said although she initially encountered stereotypes because tiling was widely regarded as a male profession, she persevered and demonstrated her competence.
“Today, my master calls me to assist him whenever he gets huge jobs,” she said.
KASPRO was launched by UNFPA Ghana in 2020 to support female head porters through vocational skills training, sexual and reproductive health education and economic empowerment.
The initiative seeks to reduce beneficiaries’ exposure to exploitation, violence and poverty while creating pathways to decent and sustainable livelihoods.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Edward Acquah