Twenty-one head-porters, known as “Kayayei,” are receiving training in male-dominated trades such as painting and tiling to provide them with sustainable income to move them off the streets.

This follows a career interest workshop held last year at the CMB area of the Central Business District of Accra, Osu, and Darkuman markets to provide them with employable skills.

The initiative, under the Kayayei Assistant Project (KASPRO) by the Purim African Youth Development Platform, aims to empower women and girls through vocational training.

It is in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Prudential Life Insurance Ghana.

Faisal Bawa, the Programme Analyst on Gender and Gender-Based Violence at UNFPA, said the training would equip the girls with skills, knowledge, and resources to break free from poverty, sexual exploitation, and gender-based violence.

He explained that the initiative aimed to keep them off the streets to safeguard their socio-economic stability and future opportunities.

Reverend Aku Xornam Kevi, the Head of Purim African Youth Development Platform Office, told journalists on Wednesday that the initial plan to train the girls in dressmaking and soapmaking was later expanded to include male-dominated fields including tiling and painting.

“The reason why we encouraged and helped some of our girls to go and learn such skills was to help break free from gender stereotypes and empower them economically; making them realise that women are also capable of excelling in such trades,” he said.

The trainees have been paired with master craftsmen and, upon completion, will be placed in industrial attachments with leading companies.

To ensure their safety and accessibility, accommodation has been provided at Denkyira in the Central Region, and Ashaley Botwe in the Greater Accra Region.

Girls specialising in painting are being trained at Kaprisky Creations Ghana, known for painting the Jubilee House, while tiling trainees are attached to Skilful Tiling Company.

Several beneficiaries shared their experiences with the Ghana News Agency, highlighting the programme’s transformative impact.

“I am very happy I’m no longer into Kayaye because it was very tedious and always gave me backaches. I feel excited to be learning how to tile buildings,” Amina, a 14-year-old trainee, said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Rahinatu, who noted that: “Whenever people see us going to work, they are surprised because they can’t imagine that females can be tilers. This means that we will make some good money when we finally complete our training.”

To support their development, trainees receive stipends during the apprenticeship periods.

“This financial support is to help the girls focus on their training and development, without the burden of financial stress that can induce the temptation to run away,” Rev Kevi added.

Ms Gifty Owusu, the Head of Sustainability at Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting such initiatives, emphasising its role in promoting economic and social stability.

Since 2020, UNFPA Ghana and Prudential Life Insurance Ghana have empowered vulnerable women and adolescent girls, particularly Kayayei, through KASPRO, providing vocational training, industrial attachments, and financial support.