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More Ghanaian youth to acquire employable skills – Dr Bawumia

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has described the successful training of thousands of Ghanaian youth under the first phase of the Youth Employment Agency’s Skills Training Programme as concrete evidence of the NPP Government’s commitment to providing opportunities for the youth to acquire employable skills for life.

The training of these 10,000 young people in Carpentry,  Beauty Care, Hairdressing, Plumbing, Auto Mechanics, Plaster of Paris (POP), Painting, Steel Works and Welding, and Glazing (Glass Works) – who received allowances during their training and have also received start-up equipment –  comes on the heels of the recent training of thousands of ladies under the Kayayei Empowerment programme, as well as formal training under the Free Technical Vocational Training (FTVET) and digital training offered by facilities such as the Accra Digital Centre.

Speaking at the passing out ceremony of the 10,000 YEA-trained artisans at Techiman in the Bono East Region on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Dr Bawumia reiterated the NPP Government’s appreciation of the key role played by the youth in national development, and envisioned the creation of even more training and job opportunities under the ongoing digitalization agenda.

“Some few years ago, I was privileged to be the Guest Speaker at Legon when YEA first launched the Job Centre together with the Artisan Directory, a skill development program designed to build the capacity of artisans and to train new ones to meet current global requirements of the artisanal industry,” he said. 

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According to him, “Today, I am happy to be part of this ceremony not because I was present at the birth of this Great initiative in October, 2019 but largely because of the anticipated socio- economic and cyclical impact of these new artisans to the growth and development of Ghana, the Ecowas Sub Region, Africa and the world as a whole.”

“This pool of talented artisans in rows before us this morning, presents varying opportunities for us to expand and develop the sector for the growth of our nation. Ladies and Gentlemen, the artisanal industry is the oldest livelihood job in Ghana for centuries and still remains the powerful Economic engine to absorb more people seeking sustainable job opportunities,” he emphasized.

“Barely three months ago, I joined YEA in a Grand event in Accra to launch the Kayayei Empowerment programme in Madina. I am happy to state that thousands of young women through that Programme have graduated with various skilled jobs in Detergent and Soap Making, Beading and Jewelry, Makeup Artistry, Pedicure and Manicure, Baking and Decoration. More Kayayei are currently undergoing training in Madina and Ashaiman and would soon be graduating into the world of work,” he announced.

Dr Bawumia commended the leadership of the Youth Employment Programme for being abreast with the changing dynamics of the work environment, setting up a Job Centre to link applicants with jobs and creating a soon-to-be launched App to provide the location and contact of the 10,000 graduates across the country to make accessing their services easier.

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According to him,“Since we assumed office in 2017, the NPP Government had in the priority of things embarked on the digitalization agenda to cover some if not all key sectors of the economy. Indeed, leveraging on the technological potentials of Ghana in the digital marketing space, YEA is gradually becoming digitally inclined and had taken several steps forward in providing innovative solutions to the modern-day problems affecting the artisanal landscape in Ghana.”

“YEA has been very instrumental in the Agenda for Jobs of the NPP Government through roll outs of traditional modules, entrepreneurial modules and artisanal modules. The YEA Job Centre also connects job seekers to employers online and had facilitated the recruitment of thousands of young men and women into the private sector and NGO jobs in the country. Today, YEA has broadened its partnership with the private sector under the Business and Employment Assistant Programme and has provided human resource assistance to many certified small and medium scale enterprises across the country,” he said.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also the Presidential Candidate of the NPP for the 2024 elections, challenged the fresh graduates to continually seek knowledge and further skills, saying “Your training comes with a prize- a prize of distinguishing yourselves as credible Artisans not only in molding products and providing services to your clients but credibility which hinges on character, hard work and transparency in your career journey.

He said, “As you transition into the world of work, never feel secured and technically efficient because you have been certified to work as an Aluminum Fabricator or Carpenter but aspire to take opportunities to build your capacities.”

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The Chief Executive Officer of the YEA, Kofi Baah Agyapong, commended the newly-trained youth for their dedication and perseverance, especially those from under-privileged backgrounds, and charged them to be role models worth emulating.

“I am highly elated to see so many happy faces here today, given where many of you have come from and the challenges you have faced. I urge you to grab this opportunity to be outstanding citizens with both hands and run with it. Being the first batch, I ask that you practice your newly-acquired skills in a manner that would encourage Ghanaians to patronize your services and attract many more youth to acquire employable skills,” he concluded.

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University of Ghana opens maiden ‘Artify’ visual arts exhibition

• A scene from the exhibition

 The University of Ghana, in partnership with Nubuke Foun­dation and KGL Foundation, has launched a week-long visual arts ex­hibition titled ‘Artify’ on the Universi­ty’s campus.

Running from November 26 to December 2, the event showcases drawings and paintings by eight visual artists selected by the University.

The artists participated in a two-week skills and business orientation training before the exhibition, where they were coached on art practice fundamentals, copyright and intellec­tual property, entrepreneurship, and business management.

The training was to help the art­ists upscale their craft and expand their client reach, equipping them to become more business-oriented art professionals.

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The Artify project, under the theme Amplifying Art as a Business, was conceived by the University of Ghana’s Office of Research, Innovation, and Development (ORID).

Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innova­tion and Development, University of Ghana, said they aimed to equip them with the necessary tools and skills to thrive as artists and entrepreneurs.

“This initiative nurtures talent and fosters entrepreneurial spirit among young aspiring artists. Together, we cultivate creativity and transform passion into sustainable careers,” he said.

Prof. Asante said that the skills required to run an art business were often overlooked, as art was common­ly perceived as a hobby that doesn’t necessitate specialised management skills.

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He argued that by integrating busi­ness and project management skills into the art ecosystem in Ghana, more organisations and investors could be encouraged to support creatives.

Madam Odile Tevie, Director of Nubuke Foundation, called on author­ities to create more platforms, similar to the Artify exhibition, where artists could showcase their work.

She advocated the establishment of visual arts spaces in communities, where local talents could receive training and be nurtured in their craft.

Mr Sedem Atsu Avornyo, one of the participating artists, praised the University and its partners for the initiative.

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He noted that his knowledge and skills had been greatly enriched, bet­ter preparing him for the job market. –GNA

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Don’t harass, visitors on period of election …Comptroller-General cautions Immigration staff

The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Kwame Asuah Takyi ..
The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Kwame Asuah Takyi ..

 The Comptroller-General of Immi­gration, Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi, (Esq.), has asked personnel of the service, especially those at the various borders of the country, not to harass people who travel in and outside of the country during the election period.

The advice is to stem reports that usually characterise immigration operations in border communities in such crucial moments.

Mr Assuah Takyi addresses the GIS staff. With him is Abedi Ayew Pele

He gave the advice at the 2024 Comptroller-General’s end-of-year games held at the McDan La Town Park on Friday.

It was under the theme “Kick for unity, sports for peaceful elections.”

According to Mr Assuah Takyi, It was important for personnel of the staff to behave professionally and live by the high standards required to ensure peace and tranquility at the border towns where elections would be ongoing.

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“I want to remind you of the roles and responsibilities expected from you. Don’t take advantage of the upcoming general elections to harass visitors and passengers going in and out of the country.

“Perform your duties profession­ally as immigration officers and, where necessary, assist other security agencies to maintain peace, law, and order before, during, and after the elections.”

“Be apolitical because your services are to Ghana first and only, and not to any individual or political party. As officers in uniform, don’t put up behaviours that would question your professionalism.”

“This is not a call on immigration staff alone. All the security agencies are poised to display high standards of professionalism to ensure that Ghanaians vote in a peaceful atmo­sphere,” Mr Takyi said.

Flanked by three-time African best player and former captain of the Black Stars Abedi Ayew Pele, who was the special guest of honour, the Comptroller-General stated that as officers and men in uniform, their duty to the country was to maintain peace, law, and order and not to be involved in dubious or political activ­ities.

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“If any of you want to do politics, resign and hand over your uniform to the service and go. This information should go out there to our officers across the country.”

Mr Assuah Takyi urged members of the general public to behave respon­sibly to make the work of the security officers simple and peaceful while cautioning potential troublemakers to have a change of mind because that would not be tolerated.

“The National Elections Security Taskforce (NESTF) met the political parties on Thursday to reaffirm our commitment to professionalism, im­partiality, and adherence to the rule of law.”

“Our actions will be impartial and guided by the law, and anyone who decides to violate the laid-down laws will be made to face the law.”

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Mr Asuah Takyi urged all to oper­ate within the confines of the law to ensure a successful and trouble-free election.

 By Raymond Ackumey

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