A GH¢459,000 Rural Technology Facility (RTF) to train the youth in viable trades and equip them with employable skills has been inaugurated at Adukro in the Offinso Municipality.

It is a partnership between the Rural Enterprise Project (REP) and the Methodist Church of Ghana.

Madam Hannah Tetteh, the Trade and Industry Minister who was on hand to perform the ceremony, said if properly managed, it could become a catalyst for industrialization.

The RTF, she noted, would significantly help to strengthen engineering and technology at the local level.

This way, artisans would improve their capacities and the right support institutions and infrastructure built to aid them to upgrade the quality of their products.

The Minister also spoke of the opportunity that would be provided for the youth to be equipped with employable skills and urged the people to embrace and do everything to support it to become functional.

She announced plans to open 31 additional such facilities across the nation.

Madam Tetteh praised the Methodist Church for joining hands with the government to bring development to the people.

The Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Church, said they are not only concerned about the spiritual progress of the people but their socio-economic well-being.

They would therefore continue to support the government to fight poverty and make life better for all.

He urged the management board of the project to put in place the right measures to make it more beneficial to the society.

Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, said every support and encouragement would be given to small and medium enterprises to enhance their viability.

He said the establishment of job opportunities in the rural areas would tremendously help to reduce the rural-urban drift.**