Akatsi (VR), Nov. 6, GNA-Akatsi Artisans Association of Ghana (AAAG), a newly formed group has been inaugurated at Akatsi to promote youth employment in the area.
The Association’s aim, among others, is to bring together artisans from the various fields of specialisation to foster unity and growth, and to equip them with vocational skills.
Master Atsu Tumaku, Chairperson of the Association, in a welcome address during the inauguration ceremony, explained that the Association would contribute to the development agenda of the area and beyond.
“We have apprentices and master craftsmen as an Association. It is our aim to train the youth with skills and techniques in other to mitigate the rising issues of youth unemployment.”
Mr David Agbavitor, Principal of Akatsi Technical Institute, encouraged all artisans on the need to upgrade their skills by adding some theoretical lessons to them.
He said vocational/technical education remained a crucial element in the development agenda of every community and the country at large.
Mr Mathias Agbalenyo, the Akatsi chapter Chairperson of the Ghana National Association of Garment Makers who was in attendance, also commended the leaders of the Association for their hard work and called for unity among the group as they worked hard to expand the fortunes of the Association.
Mr Emmanuel Agbaxode, Chairperson of the Ghana Journalists Association for Volta and Oti, in his remarks, tasked the new executives to ensure they served with dignity and humility.
The event, which brought some key public figures such as politicians from the two main political parties, Assembly members, and friends, saw 12 young men graduating from their respective apprenticeship courses.
They were presented with certificates and testimonials as well as other items to serve as ‘start-up kits’ for their work.
Mr Mawuli Ocloo Egos, the NPP parliamentary candidate for Akatsi South apart from donating cash, also promised to provide the tools for the new graduands.
Mr Daniel Dagba, the NDC Secretary for Akatsi South, who represented the party and the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, presented a cash amount of GHS 2000.00 to the group and assured them of the party’s readiness to assist the young ones to venture into vocational skills.
Also in attendance were staff from the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited, craftsmen, Mr Ebenezer Asare, the Ambassador for ‘Sun Kablo’ Electricals, producers of PVC pipes and electrical high-standard cables.
The group currently has over 55 members and 35 apprentices from various fields such as, Electricals, Masonry, and others.
GNA