50 graduates of OIC receives start-up tools

Takoradi July 16, GNA - Some 50 graduates of the Sekondi- Takoradi Opportunities Industrialisation Centre (OIC), were on Thursday presented with start-up tools to facilitate their trade.

The graduates, who were sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the OIC International, undertook two-year courses and apprenticeship in carpentry, welding, hairdressing, dressmaking, catering and auto mechanic, among other trades.

The USAID sponsorship forms part of the HIV/ AIDS Orphans and People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Care Support and Economic Opportunities Enhancement Programme (HOPE) Vocational Skills Training Scholarship.

Speaking at the ceremony dubbed: "Tools Day," Madam Betty Busumtwi-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister, commended USAID and OIC for supporting the graduates to acquire skills relevant to the country's development.

She urged the graduates to fully utilise the tools to earn a living and to contribute towards national development. Madam Busumtwi-Sam advised the graduates not to rest on their oars but to aspire to higher academic heights.

Madam Lucy Owusu-Darko, OIC HIV/AIDS Programme Director, said HOPE is a special complementary component of USAID Enhancement of Household Agriculture, Nutrition, Risk Reduction and Community Empowerment (ENHANCE) Development Assistance Programme.

ENHANCE is an integrated, innovative and comprehensive food assistance care and support programme for PLHIV and Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC).

Madam Owusu-Darko said the programme has been able to reach more than 8,000 PLHIV with food ration.

More than 7,700 OVC have also benefited from the ration.

She said more than 1,100 young people have benefited from vocational skills training while about 3,000 Queen Mothers, traditional healers and orphanage care givers have been trained in lay psycho-social counselling and home-based care.

Mr Alfred Osei, who is in-charge of USAID Food for Peace Programme, said HOPE is being implemented in the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Eastern and Western Regions.

He said so far, 250 students have been presented with tools worth $150,000.