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The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation, in partnership with the ASEDA Foundation, has organized a graduation for 389 artisans in the Ashanti Region under the Skilled Artisan Project (SAP) at the Centre for National Culture (CNC), last Thursday.
The graduates underwent three years training in more than 20 trade disciplines such as steel bending, event decoration, bead making, gas welding, aluminum fabrication, shoe making, motor vehicle electrical and bakery.
Others include general electricals, cookery, bakery, interior decoration, masonry, hairdressing, arc welding, motor vehicle mechanics and many others.
The graduands were also provided with startup kits to support them commercialize the various skills they had acquired during their training.
Amongst the startup tools given to them were sewing machines, industrial machines, stand dryers, local ovens, cylinders, welding machines and cutting machines.
Others were tillers cutting machines, aluminum cutting machines, diagnostic machines, acetylene and oxygen machines and host of others.
Dr. Dominic Eduah, the Executive Director of GNPC Foundation, emphasized the program’s impact on employability and entrepreneurship, stating, “GNPC Foundation is committed to its drive to positively impact the livelihoods of the people from Ghana’s oil resources and that of many Ghanaians.
He also stressed on the corporation’s readiness to undertake social livelihood empowerment programmes that will significantly impact the lives of Ghanaians in the informal sector.
Dr. Eduah furthered that, GNPC Foundation, since 2018, has granted scholarships to over 7,500 individuals, with more than 350 students receiving scholarships for studies in specialized academic areas, stressing the Foundation’s commitment to education and national development.
He disclosed that the Foundation has spent a lot of money in the training of some 1500 Ghanaians under its scholarship projects this year.
“Our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ASEDA Foundation since 2019 is therefore to add value to the acquired skills in all trade areas for the 389 artisans and take t5hem through some NVTI modules and other management training skills that would help them progress well in their chosen career,” he added.
On her part, Diana Adjei, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for ASEDA Foundation commended GNPC Foundation for the collaboration which is impacting positively on the lives of many Ghanaian youth.
Sher urged the graduands to show gratitude to the GNPC by also using the startup provided to work and help train many youth in their respective communities.
Chairman for the occasion,Nana Okyere Kusi Ntrama, the Paramount Chief of Essumeja Traditional Area, thanked GNPC Foundation/ ASEDA Foundation for their positive impacts on Ghanaian society through. He charged the graduands to make the investments GNPC Foundation has made in them count in their lives and in society.
The traditional ruler also charged them to take full advantage of the opportunities they come across to enable them build themselves up.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi
