By: Kingsley Nana Buadu
Three hundred and thirty seven (337) youth artisans from the Central Region have received training in over 20 vocational and technical trade areas and have graduated.
They received training in welding, electrical, catering, plumbing, fabrication , hair dressing and various vocations.
The training was made possible through the GNPC Foundation and Aseda Foundation skilled artisans project. The project will further establish all the graduating artisans with start-Up kits and other support that would ensure they stay in business and train others.
According to the board chairman of GNPC, Freddy Blay, the training is necessary because, resources themselves can not develop a nation, but rather the quality human resource of a nation ensure the development.
The debate about whether revenue from Ghana’s oil and gas is being put to good use or not would continue. Many are of the believe that the revenue from the oil has not impacted the Ghanaian economy as expected.
Where as others believe that the revenues from the resource is being put to good use especially following the economic situation of the country.
They argue that apart from the revenue supporting the budget of the government, areas such as the education sector where some of the revenue is channeled is laudable.
To ensure that all Ghanaians benefit from the oil revenue, GNPC Foundation is building various infrastructures for schools and hospitals across the country and also offering scholarships at various levels.
The Foundation has rolled out a programme where capacities of artisans are being built not only in the oil and gas space but various Vocational and Technical areas.
In the Central Region, the GNPC Foundation and Aseda Foundation have trained 337 youths artisans under a project dubbed Skilled Artisans Projects.
The trainees went through a year training in over 20 trade areas including steel bending, spraying, motor vehicle electricals, motor vehicle mechanics, dress making, hairdressing, tailoring, arc welding, gas welding, bakery, cookery, masonry, pastry, carpentry, tiling, general electricals, plumbing, aluminium fabrication, among others.
The board Chairman of GNPC Foundation, Freddy Blay, explained that, aside the various areas the oil and gas revenues are expected , empowering Ghanaian youth especially to help contribute to Ghana’s future growth and development is anothe focused area of GNPC.
The Executive Director of GNPC, Dr. Dominic Kwesi Eduah, highlighted some successes of the foundation. He noted that the project does not only provide training and certificate to the trainees but all are given start-up kits and support to enable them stay in business and train others.
The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu, The Central Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assan and Oguaamanhen, commended GNPC Foundation for the foresight and thanked them on behalf of of the beneficiaries.
He cautioned them to put the training received and the start-up kits to good use and never contemplate selling them. Some trainees who spoke about the training noted that its been a fulfilled dream for them.
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