The Youth Path Organization (YPO), a non-governmental organization, recently concluded a three-day training program aimed at empowering women in Pampaso Abetifi, Kwahu, in the Eastern Region.

This initiative, which marked the second edition of YPO’s training sessions, focused on equipping participants with vital survival skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities.

Held under the theme "Empowering Women: Transforming lives through cosmetics and soap making," the program covered a range of training areas including basic cosmetics science, product manufacturing, safety compliance, and business management.

Specific practical sessions included the making of soap, shampoo, shower gel, and liquid soap.

However, during the organization's needs assessment, some participants expressed interest in bead-making. They felt that bead-making would better meet their immediate needs compared to soap-making, and their request was granted by the team.

Joseph Henry Mensah, Communications Coordinator for YPO, emphasized the organization’s mission to foster business creation among women.

"One of our main aims is to create businesses or entrepreneurial training programs for women who are interested in creating businesses for themselves.

“This year, we decided to come to Kwahu Abetifi to teach women soap making, cosmetics, and bead making over a three-day period,” he said in an interview.

Mensah highlighted the hands-on nature of the training. "On the first day, we taught them how to design beads on slippers, and those interested in soap-making learned to produce shower gel and hand-washing products. Today, we are focusing on waist beads and hand beads,” he stated.

"Also, we are not leaving them hanging. We will come back again and see how they are faring concerning what we taught them. If there are any hitches, we will try our best to train them in areas where they are lacking.

"I want to use the opportunity to also thank our main sponsors, AROS and Gemeente Hove," he added.

Ing. Dr. Margaret Mary Bruce-Mensah, one of the trainers, praised the participants' eagerness to learn.

"The training has had a significant impact. The women were able to grasp everything we taught them despite their educational backgrounds. They were eager to learn and apply the knowledge,” she said.

Enyonam Hamenu, the beads trainer, acknowledged initial difficulties but noted significant improvement.

"The beginning was tough, but now they have proven they can learn. We started with necklaces and have moved on to another beadwork,” she stated in an interview.

Participants expressed their satisfaction with the training.

One trainee shared, "I have learned a lot, including making necklaces and hand beads. I sew, so I plan to wear and advertise these products to grow my business."

Another participant felt confident about her progress, stating, "So far, so good. I believe I am 80% proficient and with further practice, I aim to reach 90%."

The YPO's initiative not only trained the women but also provided them with materials to start their own businesses, ensuring they have the tools to apply their new skills and improve their livelihoods.



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