The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation in partnership with Aseda Foundation has trained 400 master craftsmen under its economic empowerment programme to offer artisanal skill training for vulnerable youth and school dropouts in the Western Region.
Speaking to Citi News after handing over certificates to the beneficiaries, the Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, Dr. Dominic Eduah, said the 400 trainees have keys roles to play in the foundation’s desire of contributing to Ghana’s economy.
“Previous training we have done has been for new entrants by selecting youth from the streets and giving them some skills. But it came to a point where the masters who have been basically offering these training for free also requested that they are given some training that will equip them to carry out their training even better. So the Board gracefully granted the request.”
“Today these 400 master craftsmen who have gone through NVTI training in entrepreneurship, health, and safety, professional code of ethics which entails a lot as far as their various areas of work are concerned are getting their certificates. About 18 areas of artisanal professions including hairdressing, sewing, carpentry, mechanic, masonry received master training in collaboration with Aseda Foundation. I, therefore, urge them to see it as a privilege that must impact the rest of society. They need to recognize that their training is to help empower others to be part of the country’s overall economic empowerment effort.” he said.
Dr Eduah also said the GNPC foundation has not only supported skill development but also offered over 6,000 students with scholarships so far.
He said GNPC will intensify its economic empowerment training and scholarship programmes in 2021.
One of the happy master trainers, Theresa Mensah, after receiving her NVTI certification said it means a lot to her work.
“The master craftsmen training by GNPC foundation has been very helpful to me and has opened my eye to so many things. I now know how I should conduct myself and training as a master. I know this training would help us in our work as master trainers to help the young trainees to have a better future”, she said.
The Commissioner In-charge of Testing at the NVTI, John Ocran, while commending the master craftsmen emphasized that their studies have shown that it is not factual that those who enrol in artisanal skill training in Ghana are of low competence but critically contributive to national growth.
