More than eight hundred (800) people selected from all the communities in the Keta Constituency have graduated from the Gakpey Apprenticeship Programme (GAP).
The initiative championed by MP for the area, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, proudly celebrated the graduation of its final cohort of apprentices, ending the year 31st December 2024.
The last graduation ceremony for about One Hundred and Three (103) held on December 3, 2024, at Kedzikorpe, honours the achievements of young men and women who have completed Three (3) years of vocational training through GAP.
In the words of the MP, “This transformative programme has provided over eight hundred (800) youth with practical skills across various trades, empowering them to pursue sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.”
Launched with a vision to empower youth by equipping them with marketable skills, GAP offers training in trades such as welding, carpentry, dressmaking, tailoring, catering, hairdressing, ICT animation, coral drawing, and auto mechanics.
At the ceremony, graduates were provided with certificates and cash as well as essential tools and materials, including sewing machines, LPG cylinders, hairdryers, carpentry planes, saws, and hammers, to kickstart their careers in their chosen fields.
According to Mr. Gakpey, “building a skilled workforce within Keta, GAP fosters a culture of self-reliance and entrepreneurship, positioning young people to thrive in an evolving job market.”
Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey praised the graduating apprentices for their dedication and resilience, reaffirming his commitment to expanding skill acquisition and employment opportunities. “This program was designed to uplift and empower our youth, providing them with the tools and support needed for sustainable economic independence. Today’s ceremony is a testament to their hard work and our community’s commitment to growth and progress,” he stated.
Hon. Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey also extended heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated mentors, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to making the GAP a success. “Their expertise and commitment have been instrumental in equipping the apprentices with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their chosen fields,” he noted.
The ceremony was also attended by constituency executives, party members, and Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, former Keta Constituency Chairman of the NDC, who also supported the initiative in cash and kind and used the opportunity to canvass for votes for the party’s flagbearer, John Mahama, and the MP, Kwame Dzidzorli Gakpey, come December 7.
