Ahafo-Ano South West Assembly Allocates GHS 90,000.00 for Apprenticeship Training

Bolgatanga: The Ahafo Ano South-West district assembly is set to pay an amount of GHS 90,000.00 to six master craft persons to train 30 apprentices in the district, under the National Apprenticeship Program (NAP). According to Ghana News Agency, each master craft person will receive GHS 15,000.00 to train five apprentices with a charged fee of GHS 3,000.00 each, for the four-year training period. Mr. Sedik Abubakar, the District Chief Executive (DCE), announced this during the distribution of 30 hand sewing machines and six industrial ones, valued at GHS 220,000.00 to the 36 fashion designers. The apprentices will also receive a GHS 500.00 monthly stipend each, as part of their hands-on training, which is currently in a pilot phase. The machines aim to support and help the apprentices develop practical skills and complement the government's effort to strengthen technical and vocational education to reduce youth unemployment. The DCE encouraged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the program to build a prosperous and dependable future through sustainable income-earning jobs and livelihoods. This initiative aims to strengthen them economically and socially to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country. Mr. Abubakar emphasized that the assembly would ensure strict monitoring and supervision to keep both the trainers and trainees on track. He urged the apprentices to be disciplined, hardworking, and determined to successfully complete their program. Mr. Patrick Opoku Fofie, the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the Program, mentioned that 34 assemblies in the Ashanti region had so far begun the pilot project, which would involve a total of 100,000 youth. He assured that the stipends for the beneficiaries would follow shortly after the distribution of the machines was complete. He called on all stakeholders to render their full support to help create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.