About 29 young women have received empowerment and apprenticeship training in none traditional trade at the Bolgatanga and Bawku municipalities of the Upper East Region from WEE-North, funded by Global Affairs Canada and supported by Alinea .
The young ladies who are SHS and Technical school graduates were taken through an empowerment training at Pusina-moo in the Talensi District before moving to receive eight weeks intensive residential skills acquisition training at the Bolgatanga Technical Institute and the Bawku Technical institute all in the Upper East Region.
The trainees were trained in carpentry, plumbing, brick laying, and electrical installations.
At a short graduation ceremony held at the Bolgatanga Technical Institute, the focal person of the program , Mr. Martin Akolgo expressed satisfaction at the training and the skills acquired by the trainees and was confident that the young ladies will be ready to deliver when called upon. He advised the ladies to make use of the skills acquired.
” I’m so happy to see this day and to see this young ladies leave this institution well-equipped and ready for the job market. The training given to this young ladies will change their lives and make them independent. I advice you all to go out there and prove to the world and your communities that you can compete with the men for the same jobs and even do it better. “
Mr. Martin said” these ones have been saved from travelling to the south to seek for nonexistent jobs with its attendant very poor social conditions that they stay in.”
Madam Emelia Asigri who represented the principal of Bolga Technical Institute was full of praise for WEE-North and their partner, Alinea for empowering young ladies to become independent and beneficial to their homes and community.
” I’m grateful that ladies were chosen for this training and I say so because when our young ladies get into marriage without trade, it’s always a challenge. “
She encouraged the young ladies not to put whatever training they have acquired under the carpet but put it into practice. She also promised to use them to complete some of the projects within the school.
” Girls, put to practice what you have learnt here .Don’t put it under the carpet and be roaming. When we have our projects we will invite you to come. We will invite you to come and complete our projects for us and I know that with girls, you will put out your best “
Explaining the rational of the program, the coordinator of the WEE-North training program, Madam Nuella said the the main purpose of the WEE-North( Women Economic Empowerment in the North) is to empower women to undertake none traditional trades that are are not commonly ventured into by women.
” The major aim of WEE-North is to empower women to undertake none traditional trades such as carpentry, welding, electrical installation so that instead of going into catering, and fashion. This areas are chocked and we think that young women will be much appreciated if they divert small into what is supposed to be male dominated jobs.”
Madam Nuella said the organisation is upbeat about the prospects of the young ladies and the skills exhibited during the eight week long residential training.
” We are going to be very successful considering what the ladies have produced during their their stay here.
The leader of the trainees, Miss Najat was full of praise for WEE-NORTH and Alinea for empowering them and the opportunity offered them to be acquire skills .
The trainees exhibited various products including panel doors, office tables, benches, kitchen stools, walls, and tiled floors constructed by themselves,
The trainees have been attached to construction firms in the region to undergo industrial attachment which is part of the training.
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com