By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Nov. 6, GNA – Mr Benjamin Nartey Ayiku, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ledzokuku, has urged graduates of the National Association for Heavy-duty Equipment Operators Ghana (NAHEOG) to apply their newly acquired skills responsibly and uphold safety and professionalism in the workplace.
He said the graduates had an important role to play in Ghana’s development, particularly in the construction, mining, maritime and other industrial sectors, where skilled heavy-duty equipment operators were essential.
Speaking at the Association’s 11th Graduation Ceremony in Accra, Mr Ayiku encouraged the graduands to embrace discipline, hard work and responsibility as they transitioned into the world of work.
Mr Dominic Kofi Eyiah, President of NAHEOG, called on religious organisations to complement their spiritual responsibilities with deliberate investments in technical and vocational skills training to help address youth unemployment and promote economic empowerment.
He said churches, mosques and other faith-based institutions had contributed significantly to education, social welfare and community development, and could extend their impact by equipping young people with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
“Faith gives us hope. That is a gift we must never take for granted. But hope needs hands,” he said, stressing that addressing poverty required practical efforts to equip people with the skills to work, build and produce.
Mr Eyiah said biblical and Quranic teachings promoted diligence and skilled work, noting that competence, productivity and hard work were values shared by both Christianity and Islam.
He urged religious leaders to establish vocational training centres, provide equipment and scholarships, introduce mentorship programmes and partner industry players to create employment opportunities for young people.
Such initiatives, he said, would help bridge the gap between training and employment by connecting graduates with prospective employers and supporting them to become self-reliant.
Addressing the graduands, Mr Eyiah said operating heavy-duty equipment such as cranes, excavators and forklifts required not only technical competence but also a strong sense of responsibility for human lives and workplace safety.
“Behind every lift, there is a person standing nearby who wants to go home to their family tonight,” he said.
He urged the graduates to uphold discipline, honesty and strict adherence to safety regulations in the discharge of their duties.
He said the Association had equipped the graduands with relevant skills to serve in construction sites, mines, ports and other industries that contributed to the country’s economic growth.
Mr Eyiah said the 11th graduation ceremony demonstrated the potential of technical and vocational education to transform lives by providing young people with opportunities to secure employment, establish businesses and contribute to national development.
He also called for stronger collaboration among religious institutions, government, industry and training organisations to expand skills development opportunities and address unemployment.
He urged the graduates to look beyond seeking employment and consider how their skills could help them create value, establish businesses and support others.
“When faith meets skills, hope becomes opportunity. When opportunity meets discipline, lives are changed. And when changed lives serve the nation, Ghana grows,” he said.
Dr Jethro Brooks Jnr., Vice-Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, also encouraged stakeholders to collaborate in empowering young people, noting that no single institution could independently address unemployment and the country’s economic challenges.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Hafsa Obeng
Email: [email protected]