Over 50 Apprentices in Atiwa West Receive Start-Up Equipment to Promote Self-Employment
- Over 50 apprentices in Atiwa West receive essential start-up equipment for hairdressing and dressmaking.
- MP Laurrette Korkor Asante emphasizes the importance of vocational skills in reducing youth unemployment.
- Beneficiaries express optimism, highlighting the support as timely aid toward financial independence.
More than 50 apprentices in the Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region have received start-up equipment to establish their businesses and become financially independent.
The beneficiaries, trained in hairdressing and dressmaking, received items including hairdryers and sewing machines.
Presenting the items, the Member of Parliament for Atiwa West, Laurrette Korkor Asante, said the initiative was aimed at promoting youth employment and reducing rural-urban migration.
“Youth unemployment is very high across Ghana and it’s not limited to Atiwa West alone. Many graduates in rural communities were unable to begin work after training due to the lack of tools and financial support needed to establish themselves,” she said.
The MP criticized the ruling government for not doing enough to address the challenge. “The government promised that the 24-Hour Economy Programme would generate 1.7 million jobs by 2028. But the Mid-Year Budget Review provided no evidence of actual jobs created under the programme. She described it as a 24-hr promise gone with the wind.”
Despite being in opposition, she assured the youth of her commitment to equip them with entrepreneurial skills to be self-reliant.
“I will do all I can to equip you with entrepreneurial skills to make you self-employed to cater for yourselves and your families,” she stated.
According to her, the initiative was intended to promote self-reliance, restore dignity, and stimulate local economic growth through vocational and technical skills development.
Constituency Chairman, Mr. Douglas Puddy Amponsah, said empowering young people with skills and equipment would create self-employment opportunities and enable beneficiaries to train others in the future.
“Obtaining white collar jobs these days is not easy, therefore entrepreneurship is the surest way to go. The party collaborated with the MP on this agenda in equipping the youth to become self-reliant,” he said.
He urged the youth to utilize the training and resources provided to establish themselves and create employment for others.
Some beneficiaries commended the MP for the intervention, describing it as timely support that would help them start work and become financially independent.
BY HAM A. AFETI, ABOMOSU, E/R
