Beggars To Be Trained

The Ministry for Employment and Manpower Development would commence vocational training for beggars within the Greater Accra region before the end of this month. The exercise, which was supposed to have begun last year, is yet to commence because the Ministry could not complete its preparations for the training programme to take off.

A deputy Minister for Employment and Manpower Development, John Jabaarh told JOY-FM that beggars who would undergo the vocational training have already been registered in Accra and Tema.

The exercise will be extended to the other regions on completion of the Greater Accra Regional exercise. While admitting that the duration of the vocational training programme would depend on the choice of trade by the individual, Mr Jabaarh noted that the training would not exceed two years.

In instances where registered beggars are not found at their spots near traffic lights where they beg for alms, officials of the Manpower Development Ministry would pick them up from their places of residence. The training programme, Mr Jabaarh said would be sustained by the Ministry and will not be a nine-day wonder.