NGO presents working tools to 69 artisans

Wa, June 17, GNA- Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), a Non-governmental organization (NGO) on Saturday presented working tools valued at 20 million cedis to 69 artisans in the Wa Municipality. The tools, made up of carpentry and masonry tools, sewing machines, tools for auto Mechanics and auto electricians were donated by Tools for Self Reliance (TFSR), a British NGO. Presenting the tools to the beneficiaries, Mr. Gaskin Dassah, Project Officer of CEDEP said a total of 520 artisans have so far benefited from the tools since the beginning of the partnership about ten years ago. He explained that TFSR collects the broken tools from various factories in Britain, refurbish them and send them to the needy artisans in the country free and the token charged was only meant to cater for shipment.

Mr. Dassah said in order to increase the donation of more tools to artisans in the country, CEDEP was considering setting up a refurbishment centre so that the broken equipment would be shipped to them to work on them for the people. He said apart from enabling more people to benefit from the programme, it would also provide jobs for Artisans who would be repairing such equipment that would be brought. Naa Dr. Francis Banka, a Private Businessman cautioned them against selling the equipment, but to use them for the benefit of their families and society in general. He also advised them to register with the District Wide Mutual Health Insurance in their various areas to avoid the cash and carry system that was becoming extremely expensive.