Africa-Press – Ghana. Mr Osman Abdulai Ayariga, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), has urged beneficiaries of the Ketu North Skills and Apprenticeship Programme, to remain committed to their training and make the most of the opportunity offered them.
He made the call, when he served as Guest of Honour at the signing of agreements for 271 apprentices from the Afife and Weta Zones at Dekpor.
Mr Ayariga underscored the critical role vocational skills play in national development, stressing that every profession depends on skilled artisans.
He noted that tailors sew the clothes people wear, while shoemakers produce footwear, and mechanics, maintained vehicles, emphasising that such trades had always been essential to society.
He advised the apprentices not to undervalue their chosen careers, pointing out that while not everyone may become a doctor, lawyer, or Member of Parliament, every profession contributes meaningfully to national growth.
Mr Ayariga also conveyed support from President John Dramani Mahama, stating that youth employment and skills development were central issues during the 2024 campaign period, leading to the introduction of the National Apprenticeship Programme.
He commended Mr Eric Edem Agbana, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, for complementing the national initiative with the Ketu North Skills Programme and encouraged constituents to support his efforts toward youth empowerment.
Mr Agbana explained that the initiative began with a pilot phase involving about eleven beneficiaries selected.
Following its success, the main programme was launched in Dzodze on January 2 with 250 beneficiaries from the Dzodze and Penyi Zones, targeting 500 youths annually.
He stated that three persons were selected from each of the 148 branches in the constituency, however, due to special circumstances, the Afife and Weta Zones recorded 271 beneficiaries, bringing the total number of apprentices for the first year to over 500.
Out of the 271 beneficiaries, 132 chose sewing, 42 opted for hairdressing, seven selected carpentry, while others went into barbering and related trades.
All apprentices selected master craft persons within the constituency to ensure effective monitoring and supervision. The programme covers agreement fees, graduation fees, and provides working tools.
Mr Agbana disclosed that tools would be distributed after three months of monitoring at their training centres.
He urged beneficiaries to remain focused, respectful, and dedicated to their training, while appealing to master craft persons to mentor the apprentices responsibly and treat them like their own children.
He revealed plans to introduce short-term skills training in areas such as makeup artistry and tie-and-dye, adding that discussions were ongoing with the National Apprenticeship Programme Directorate to prioritise master craft persons supporting the Ketu North initiative.
Reverend Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ketu North, explained that the programme operates under two components: the National Apprenticeship Programme and the Ketu North Skills Programme.
He said under the national pilot initiative, five master craft persons were selected to train five apprentices each, making a total of 25 beneficiaries.
The master craft persons received industrial and knitting machines, while the apprentices were provided with sewing machines.
Rev. Amenaki assured stakeholders that the pilot phase would be expanded and expressed confidence that the combined initiatives would help address challenges faced by apprentices and contribute to reducing crime in the municipality.
He encouraged the youth, particularly women, to explore non-traditional trades such as electrical installation and spraying.
Representatives of the master craft persons, Madam Christabel Fiawogbe and Mr Victor Sokpi, expressed appreciation to the MP for the initiative and pledged their commitment to ensuring its sustainability.
They urged apprentices to remain disciplined and respectful throughout their training.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to the Ghana News Agency also commended the government and the MP for providing them with the opportunity to acquire skills and become self-reliant in the future.
