Some 166 young men and women from the Eastern Region who underwent artisanal training and received certification from the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) in Koforidua have received working tools from the Ghana National Petroleum Cooperation.

Beneficiaries received training in disciplines including fashion designing, steel bending, interior and exterior decorations, spraying, auto electricals and mechanics and bead-making.

The rest of the courses were welding, shoe making, bakery, cooking, masonry, catering, carpentry, plumbing, tailoring, hairdressing, make-up and fabrication.

The graduands, who spent different periods ranging from six months to two years, depending on the type of course, were also given start-up kits.

The course was organised by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) through the GNPC foundation, under its skilled artisans project.

It was in partnership with ASEDA Foundation, a non-governmental organization aimed at providing free skills and training for artisans.

Speaking at the Inauguration of the 166 beneficiaries at Koforidua in the Eastern Region, Chief Executive Officer of GNPC, Opoku Awenee Danquah, said his outfit was mandated to exploit the country's oil resources to enable Ghanaians benefit from the funds accrued from the business.

He said that was what the GNPC was currently doing, adding that it was the funds that were being used to train the artisans and also assist them with working tools to start their own businesses.

Board Chairman of GNPC, Freddie Blay on his part stated that the programme will be sustained to cover the underprivileged in all parts of the country.

He asked the beneficiaries to use the working tools to expand their businesses in a way that it will benefit their communities.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, expressed his gratitude to the GNPC for organising the courses for the artisans and also providing them with working tools.

Executive Director of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation, Dominic Eduah was not happy about the dropout level among beneficiary artisans of the foundation’s vocational training due to their unwillingness to undergo certification exams administered by the National Vocational and Technical Institute (NVTI).

“ Many register to benefit from the program but as soon as they hear about exams, half exit from the program. Despite efforts to persuade participants, sometimes a staggering 60% still opt out in certain regions, often citing various excuses". He explained

He encouraged them to make themselves available for examination since that will determine their suitability for receiving start-up tools.

While advising them, he appealed to community leaders to play in role in convincing their subjects to take up the exams which he describes it as a simple exercise.

The paramount Chief of the Akwamu traditional area, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto co-chaired the function with the New Juaben and Akuapem paramount Chiefs, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng 111 and Oseadeayo Kwesi Akuffo 111.