The Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC), in collaboration with the Aseda Foundation, has successfully trained and graduated 206 artisans in the Greater Accra Region. This initiative, known as the Skilled Artisan Project (SAP), is part of the government’s efforts to empower Ghanaian youth and create job opportunities in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) fields.
The graduates have been equipped with skills in various trades, including steel bending, exterior decoration, spraying, dressmaking, hairdressing, bakery, and shoemaking. Each graduate received a set of startup kits tailored to their specialization to support them in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Mr. John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, praised GNPC’s commitment to generating employment within the TVET sector during the graduation ceremony. He applauded the GNPC Foundation for its dedication to supporting the government’s agenda of providing training in diverse fields.
“We are impressed by the range of skills you have acquired. Beyond acquiring these skills, it is heartening to see that you will be provided with the necessary tools to launch your own businesses or enterprises,” he remarked.
He encouraged the graduates to use their skills to effect positive change in their communities.
Dr. Dominic Eduah, Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, emphasized that the training would not only enhance the employability of the artisans but also empower them to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations.
Since 2018, the Foundation has impacted over 2,500 individuals across six regions nationwide, aiming to create job opportunities for more than 10,000 individuals.
Prof. Nii Oboade Notse Odaifio Welentsi III, Vice President of the Greater Accra House of Chiefs, commended the GNPC Foundation and its Board of Trustees for supplementing the government’s efforts to make technical education accessible to all.
“Today’s gathering marks not only a celebration of your accomplishments but also underscores the steadfast dedication of the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) to empowering and fostering the development of our youth,” he remarked.
“Through initiatives like the Artisan Project under the GNPC Foundation Programme, avenues are provided for young Ghanaians to acquire invaluable skills that not only benefit them individually but also contribute to the advancement and prosperity of our nation,” he continued.
Prof. Nii Oboade Notse Odaifio Welentsi encouraged the graduates to fully utilize the skills they have acquired and to abandon any plans of seeking opportunities elsewhere in search of better prospects.
