Over 1,000 beneficiaries in the Ahafo Ano North Constituency in the Ashanti Region have participated in a free two-day Entrepreneurship training program designed to equip them with skills that will help them improve their livelihoods.
The beneficiaries were taken through beads making, detergent production, baking and pastries, local drinks preparation, hair cream production, biodigester, snail and mushroom farming by experienced resource personnel and professional trainers.
Out of the lot, 300 persons who opted for the snail farming were n provided with materials following the institution of a GH¢100,000 seed fund for the project.
Mr. Kwaku Fosu Frimpong, a native of Tepa and a business consultant in Finance and Operations, put the two-day programme together, following his conviction that the true wealth of a community lay in the economic growth of its people through education.
The commitment of the philanthropist to the empowerment of the constituents started in June this year, when about 350 farmers in the Ahafo Ano North Constituency were mobilised for training in beekeeping, pastries, detergents and soap making to enable them earn more to supplement their incomes from their farming activities. Fifty of these have been selected to access a total of GH¢50,000 to expand their trading activities.
The farmers among the beneficiaries were also educated on the need for the adoption of weedicides and pruning as best practices in agriculture.
Fifteen persons have been engaged in rice and maize farming on a large scale, fish farming and vegetable (tomato and pepper) cultivation.
Mr. Fosu Frimpong indicated that the activities of the beneficiaries would be monitored and assessments made for assistance.
He said he was thrilled by the confidence the beneficiaries applied the skills acquired at the training programme, and noted that the experience was a transformational process that, not only empowers individuals, but enriched the entire community, since incredible potentials within the residents were exposed.
Mr. Fosu Frimpong was happy about the impact of the skills training programming so far on the people of Ahafo Ano North, for which reason he intends to provide another opportunity for about 2,000 more persons to be considered for the next training programme in November next year to empower the entire community through the annual free skills training and knowledge.
