News
Skills dev’t training for youth launched at Sekondi-Takoradi
Mr. Abdul-Mumin Issah launching the Skills development Project
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has launched skills development training under the European Union-funded Twin Cities in Sustainable Partnership Project (TCSPP) being implemented in Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana and Palermo in Italy.
The three-year project aims to enhance the capacity of authorities to address the challenges of urban sprawl, climate change and inadequate social safety nets for vulnerable populations within the two cities.
The launch of the TCSPP Project is also to commemorate the 2023 Europe Month Celebration in Ghana under the theme, “Celebrating Youth and Skills” and to recognise the EU as a funding agency of TCSPP and their contributions and initiatives to support Ghanaian youth in acquiring the right skills for quality jobs.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of STMA, Mr. Abdul-Mumin Issah, said that having a workforce in a society with the skills that were in demand contributed to sustainable growth, led to more innovation and improved competitiveness.
He said one of the major challenges in society today was the high population of unemployed youth and its corresponding challenges of crime, illicit use of drugs, and irregular migration to southern Europe through the desert and the Mediterranean Sea.
He said the TCSPP Skills Development programme was therefore aimed at complementing the many interventions both the central government and other stakeholders were making to address the youth unemployment situation in the metropolis and other parts of Ghana.
Mr. Issah disclosed that the programme was intended to train 350 vulnerable groups, including unemployed women and youth, returnees and potential future migrants, in professional skills in crop production, animal husbandry, aquaculture, bio-digester technology, eco-friendly oven production and plastic waste recycling.
He said the training would focus on two key areas, namely urban agriculture techniques and green and climate-smart production technologies, adding that “the project will provide post-training assistance to well-deserving trainees by supporting them to construct 500 bio-digester toilets and 100 eco-friendly ovens across the metropolis.
The MCE said the situation reaffirmed his long conviction that “teaching and learning employable skills” was the way forward for most unemployed people to become self-employed and employable in the competitive job market.
The Project Coordinator, Mr. Isaac Aidoo, said the project needed about 350 youth to start the skills training, but at the time of the launch, the number was not up, so he appealed to more youth to come and pick forms because the training was very beneficial.
The chairperson for the launch, Nana Kofi Abuna V, who is the chief of Essipun, said those who had picked forms should count themselves blessed to get the opportunity.
She told the trainees to be committed, determined and visionary, setting some goals ahead of their completion and working hard to get there.
She advised parents not to discourage their children from learning skills because it was the only way to reduce unemployment in the country by making the youth more self-employed and dependent on themselves.
From Peter Gbambila, Sekondi
The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has advised Ghanaians living in South Africa to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures ahead of planned protest activities expected on June 30.
In a public advisory issued on Monday, June 29, the Mission urged Ghanaian nationals to prioritise their safety following a deadline announced by a group known as “March and March” and its affiliated organisations, which could lead to demonstrations and disruptions in parts of the country.
The High Commission advised Ghanaians to stay indoors, especially in central business districts, transport hubs, informal trading areas and other locations where protests may occur.
It encouraged them to temporarily close their businesses where necessary and avoid unnecessary movement until the situation stabilises.
The Mission further urged members of the Ghanaian community to avoid confrontations or provocative discussions, including on social media, and to ensure that their passports, residence permits and other identification documents were readily available at all times.
According to the High Commission, emergency telephone lines have been activated to provide assistance and receive reports from Ghanaians who may require help during the period.
It encouraged Ghanaians to remain calm, obey the laws of South Africa and cooperate fully with local authorities.
The Mission advised them to rely only on information from credible official sources and avoid sharing unverified reports or rumours that could create unnecessary panic.
The Ghana High Commission assured the Ghanaian community that it would continue to monitor developments and provide updates when necessary, adding that it remained committed to protecting the welfare of all Ghanaian nationals in South Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticised the government’s handling of the flooding that hit parts of Accra and surrounding communities on Monday, urging it to move beyond what it described as public relations activities and take decisive action to address the country’s flood challenges.
In a press release issued on June 29, the party expressed sympathy to thousands of people affected by the floods but maintained that the government had failed to respond effectively to the recurring disaster.
The NPP noted that communities including the N1 Highway, Apenkwa, Achimota, Kaneshie, Weija, Spintex, Darkuman Junction and the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange were flooded after heavy rains.
According to the party, these communities have experienced flooding repeatedly over the years, making it necessary for government to adopt long term solutions.
The NPP argued that the current administration had created confusion by splitting responsibility for flood management between the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
It claimed that the arrangement had resulted in poor coordination, with the two ministries competing over responsibilities instead of working together to address the problem.
The party questioned the decision to place Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe in charge of coordinating flood response efforts.
According to the NPP, he does not have the authority to direct ministers, making the current command structure ineffective.
The opposition party further alleged that some anti flood measures announced by the government had either not been implemented or had been poorly executed.
It claimed that delays in the release of funds for flood mitigation programmes had affected ongoing interventions.
The NPP rejected recent comments by President John Dramani Mahama that flooding was partly caused by poor environmental practices and indiscipline among some citizens.
It argued that while public cooperation was important, the government should take responsibility for designing and implementing effective flood management policies.
The party called on the President to place flood management under one ministry, appoint a single minister to lead the response, and provide a public account of the work and spending of the Anti Flood Task Force.
It also urged the government to work closely with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and technical experts to improve land use planning, sanitation management and drainage infrastructure.
The statement, signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, stressed that the party would continue to hold the government accountable while standing with families affected by the floods.
By: Jacob Aggrey
