German Development Cooperation, together with the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation (SMIDO) and the Technical Cooperation Centre of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has completed a three-month training programme on oil-waste management and repairs to 2- and 3-wheeler motorbikes.

The programme was supported by the Special Initiative Decent Work for a Just Transition, under the Invest for Jobs brand. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Motorbikes and tricycles play an important role in transport, delivery services, and livelihoods across Ghana. However, many mechanics lack formal training. Unsafe workshop practices and poor disposal of used engine oil also pose risks to health, the environment, and businesses.

The training programme was designed to address these problems. It aimed to improve technical skills, promote safe oil-waste management, and support decent and sustainable jobs.

More than 160 young technicians, informal mechanics, and small-business operators participated in the programme. About 41 per cent of the trainees were women. All participants came from different clusters within the Suame Industrial enclave in Kumasi.

During the training, participants learned how to diagnose and service 2- and 3-wheeler motorbikes. They were also trained in modern oil-drainage methods, workplace safety, and proper handling and disposal of used engine oil. Tools were provided to support their work.

In addition, the trainees received lessons in business registration, record-keeping, customer care, branding, and basic financial and tax management.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Simon Hochstein, Component Head at Invest for Jobs, said the programme was important for both jobs and the environment.

“Equipping young technicians and micro-enterprise operators with practical skills in safe oil management and business formalisation is crucial for both economic growth and environmental protection,” he said.

He said the training helps create decent jobs, safer working conditions, and a more sustainable transport sector.

"Initiatives like this are essential for fostering a more equitable future, empowering women and youth, and building a diverse, thriving workforce in Ghana’s transport sector."

The acting President of SMIDO, Abubakar Abdul Salam, said the programme would positively change lives.

“With this training, some people will get jobs to do,” he said.

One of the trainees, Adwoa Asantewaa, said the programme has transformed her life.

“Before the training, I was unemployed. Now, I earn income by selling waste oil to recyclers. It has changed my life,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Blessing Asare, described the training as very helpful, noting that it has improved her technical skills and confidence.

Organisers say the programme will help improve safety, protect the environment, and strengthen small transport-related businesses in Ghana.