To address unemployment and promote small business growth, the Deputy Interior Minister and Member of Parliament for the Lower Manya Krobo Constituency, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has commissioned apprenticeship and skills development centres in three communities within the area.
The initiative seeks to equip 200 beneficiaries with marketable skills and create pathways to sustainable livelihoods through self-employment and small business development.
The establishment of the centres forms part of efforts to strengthen local economic participation, particularly among women and young people who often face limited access to employment opportunities.
The facility is expected to serve as incubation hubs for more than 200 beneficiaries, enabling them to acquire practical skills, generate income and eventually establish their own enterprises.
Each facility has been fitted with sewing and knitting machines to enhance productivity among trainees.
Beneficiaries will use the equipment to develop their craft, build viable businesses and improve household incomes.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Interior Minister and MP for Lower Manya Krobo, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, said investing in skills development and entrepreneurship is essential to addressing unemployment, reducing poverty and driving inclusive economic growth.
He noted that empowering women and the youth with practical skills would not only promote self reliance but also contribute to the expansion of micro and small enterprises within the local economy.
“We have a lot of these ladies who potentially are seamstresses but they don’t have what it takes to establish themselves. So this is an important intervention as far as their trade is concerned. We have the same number at Kpong and Akuse . We are not concentrating on seamstresses or tailoring, there are other programmes we are running soon, our challenge is space.”
He added “Apprentices people learning various trade, we give them machines, after a while we realized that , last year we distributed 100 machines, to potential apprentice, what we realize was that some of them just go and keep them under their beds. So, we changed course, when you finish learning and can’t establish, some can work here and earn income for yourself, save and establish yourself after you have saved enough.”
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the intervention.
By Yvonne Neequaye
