61 graduate from Marketable Skills Training Programme

SIXTY-ONE persons, comprising 40 females and 21 males, have graduated from the second edition of the Marketable Skills Training Programme organised in Koforidua by the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in the Eastern Region.

The graduates, who underwent practical training in various fields, acquired skills in fascinator making, bead making and designing, basic sewing, advanced sewing and traditional dance (Kete), among others.

The programme, according to the Regional Director of the CNC, Dr Dorcas Salamatu Alhassan, was designed to equip participants with practical and relevant skills to improve their livelihoods, promote self-reliance and create opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Koforidua, Dr Alhassan said the initiative formed part of the Centre’s efforts to use culture, arts and crafts as tools for economic empowerment and national development.

She said the Centre recognised the important role practical skills and cultural entrepreneurship played in helping individuals, particularly young people and community members, transform their talents and creativity into sustainable livelihoods.

She said the Centre had previously trained 26 female beauticians in bead designing and 10 persons with disabilities, comprising seven females and three males, in bead designing in New Juaben South.

“In New Juaben North, 11 female fashion designers were trained in fascinator making, while 104 learners in Kwahu East were trained to produce wall-hanging artefacts from discarded plastic materials,” she revealed.

She said other interventions included training in batik tie-and-dye, artistic artefacts from plastic materials and pastry making in various districts.

Dr Alhassan said the maiden edition of the Marketable Skills Training Programme, held last year, had 43 participants, comprising 33 females and 10 males, who were trained in areas including fascinator making, facial make-up, decoration, sewing, crocheting and batik tie-and-dye.

She said the increase to 61 beneficiaries this year demonstrated the Centre’s continued commitment to creating practical opportunities that could translate talent and creativity into sustainable livelihoods.

For his part, the Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture (NCC), Mr Wisdom Wakefield Ackuaku, said the skills acquired would help the graduates build a better future and urged them to put their knowledge and skills to use for their economic benefit.

He said the era when parents considered vocational training to be for children who were not academically inclined had passed, urging parents to invest in their children’s future by enrolling them in vocational and skills training programmes.

From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua

SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS

You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.

Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27