The beneficiaries, comprising school dropouts, unemployed graduates and young women vulnerable to migrating to urban centres for head porter jobs, popularly known as kayayei, benefited from a Skills Training and Youth Engagement Programme aimed at addressing youth unemployment and promoting local economic development.

The initiative aligns with the government's efforts to create employment opportunities for young people, reduce rural-urban migration and equip beneficiaries with practical skills to become self-reliant.

Beneficiaries Trained in Various Vocations

The participants underwent intensive theoretical and practical training under qualified master craftsmen in various trades, including hairdressing and beauty care, building and construction, painting and decoration, electrical installation, tailoring, welding and motor mechanics.

The training was designed to provide beneficiaries with the technical knowledge and practical experience needed to establish and manage their own businesses while meeting the growing demand for skilled artisans in the district.

In addition to vocational training, the beneficiaries received instruction in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, business management, record keeping and customer relations. They were also introduced to business support opportunities available through the YEA, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Ghana Enterprises Agency and the District Assembly Common Fund.

DCE Urges Youth to Embrace Digital Opportunities

Addressing the beneficiaries during the engagement session, the District Chief Executive for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Hon. Saaka Sinkina, urged them to take full advantage of government employment and entrepreneurship initiatives to improve their livelihoods.

He encouraged the young people to use digital platforms, particularly social media, to promote their services, attract customers and expand their businesses.

Hon. Sinkina further stressed the importance of discipline, hard work and collaboration, urging the beneficiaries to consider forming cooperatives to pool resources, strengthen their businesses and improve their access to support.

Start-Up Kits to Support Business Establishment

As part of efforts to ensure that the training translates into sustainable employment, the successful participants received start-up kits containing tools and equipment relevant to their respective trades.

The items included hair dryers, sewing accessories, toolboxes, electrical testing equipment, painting brushes and rollers, trowels, head pans, welding machines and other vocational tools.

The provision of the equipment is expected to help beneficiaries begin offering services immediately, reduce the initial cost of setting up businesses and improve their chances of achieving financial independence.

Programme Records Positive Impact

Reports from the District YEA office indicate that more than 70 per cent of the trained youth have already established small shops and begun providing services within Sawla Township.

The programme is also reported to have contributed to reducing idleness among young people, improving household incomes and increasing the availability of skilled artisans to support construction and other economic activities in the area.

The initiative has further created opportunities for beneficiaries to participate more actively in community development and contribute to the local economy.

Organisers Call for Sustained Support

Despite the achievements, the programme faced challenges, including security concerns following recent disturbances in the district, which affected attendance. Other difficulties included inadequate start-up capital to rent business premises and the absence of a permanent youth skills development centre in the district.

To address these challenges and sustain the gains made, stakeholders have called for the establishment of a permanent vocational training centre in Sawla, stronger links between beneficiaries and financial institutions for additional business support, and regular monitoring to ensure the long-term success of the initiative.

The empowerment of the 79 young people represents an important step towards tackling unemployment and promoting self-reliance in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District.

With practical skills, start-up tools and renewed opportunities, the beneficiaries are expected to build sustainable livelihoods, create employment for others and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.