About 389 Artisans have received start-up tools from the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) and Aseda Foundations, to start their businesses after successfully passing NVTI Examinations and acquiring certificates in various trades.
The examinations bordered on various trade areas including; Steel Bending, Interior Decorations, Event Decoration, Spraying, Beads making, Make-up, Motor Vehicle Electricals, Motor Vehicle mechanics, Dress Making, Hairdressing, Tailoring, Arc Welding, Gas welding, Shoe Making, Bakery, Cookery, Masonry, Pastry, Carpentry, Tiling, General Electricals, Plumbing and Aluminum Fabrication.
The tools provided by the GNPC Foundation included Sewing machines, Industrial Machines, Stand Dryers, Local Ovens, Polishing Machines, Aluminium Cutting Machines, Spraying Machines, Acetylene and Oxygen Cylinders, Diagnostic Machines, Gas Stoves, Local Oven Cylinders, Bench Grinders, Metal Cutting Machines and Hacksaw Frame complete.
Mr Dominic Aduam, Chief Executive Officer of the GNPC Foundation, explained that the gesture is aimed at empowering the artisans economically and to help identify and add value to those in entrepreneurship and in records keepings.
He was optimistic that the NVTI certificates acquired by the artisans would ensure that they gain the necessary confidence whilst plying their trade.
Miss Diana Adjei, CEO of Aseda Foundation, stated that her outfit normally trains apprentices free of charge, but was unable to provide them with start-up tools, until GNPC Foundation came to their aid with start-up tools to start their businesses after graduating from the apprenticeship.
She commended the GNPC for the intervention, saying it would go a long way to help the beneficiaries to improve.
She urged them to also train other youth who are interested in apprenticeship, to impact their lives positively towards reducing unemployment among the youth in the country.
Nana Okyere Kusi Ntramah, Paramount Chief of Essumeja Traditional Area, who presided over the occasion, commended GNPC and Aseda Foundations for the laudable project and entreated them to consider consulting chiefs in the various communities in the selection of the youth to benefit from the programme.
Nana Baffuor Owusu Bediako, paramount Chief of Domeabra, who also graced the occasion, urged the beneficiaries to help create employment for the unemployed youth.
