Forty-five youths acquire vocational skills

Bawku (U/E), Aug 28, GNA - Mr Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional Minister has said that the success of government's effort at reducing unemployment among the youth would be determined by the rate at which it provides vocational and technical training for the unskilled. In a speech read for him at a passing out ceremony for 45 trainees of the Bawku Vocational Institute, Mr Salifu said the government is prepared to play its part to ensure that the youth are gainfully employed.

The trainees are part of the unemployed youths registered two years ago under the Skills Training and Employment Placement (STEP) programme. They underwent six-months courses in carpentry, masonry and dressmaking.

He said government will not shirk its responsibility to develop the country's human resources and advised the graduates to form partnerships and larger groups to in order to gain access to the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) to improve their businesses and to adopt improved techniques for creativity.

Mr Guy Williams Mbilla, the Principal said in spite of inadequate facilities for effective teaching and learning, the Institute had made modest strides in providing quality skills training to a large number of youths.

He said the Institute is still unable to provide a suitable accommodation for 25 computers donated by a British non-governmental organisation.

Mr Mbilla appealed to government, non-governmental organisations and philanthropists to come to the Institute's aid in providing classrooms and workshops to increase students' intake.

The District Chief Executive for Bawku East, Mr Abdul-Rahman Gumah urged the graduates to evolve good marketing strategies and human relations to ensure the success and survival of their businesses. 28 Aug.03