Member of Parliament for Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak is implementing a revolving initiative that will employ local artisans to produce uniforms for free distribution to children in public basic schools across the constituency.

The initiative includes an apprenticeship scheme that involves master artisans to train the jobless youth in the constituency.

The MP presented industrial sewing machines, shoe making equipment and other tools worth ₵310,000 to support the project.

Speaking with JoyNews’ Erastus Donkor, Mr Muntaka stated that he implemented the initiative to help solve the issue of youth unemployment in the area by creating jobs and wealth locally after he inquired on what needed to be done to ease the livelihood of the people in the Asawase constituency.

“What we simply had to do was to go round and identify this artisans, master’s start talking to them, have some understanding with them that as a Member of Parliament, what can I do to help you for you to also intern? Help us by training these young people for us. We got some people especially in the dress making area, we got a lot of them.

“Yes we have some people at Suame Magazine auto mechanics, we have some electricians, we have some few plumbers, hairdressers, make up artiste and catering. We sent a number of them young people to them [masters in a trade] and we needed to support the masters at least if they’re not paying anything, we need to support them with the equipment and gadget that they will use in training them,” he stressed.

A number of artisans, craftsmen and women in the Asawase constituency have been enrolled under a scheme to offer wealth-creation trade opportunities for the youth.

According to the Asawase MP, a number of industry players trained in the initiative will be engaged to sustain the programme of the implementation of a free uniform per child policy to help lift people out of poverty and improve educational standards in the area.

“Because we want to create wealth within the community, I have decided that starting this academic year, next academic year September, every child of school going age in government school in this community will be given a free uniform and the intention is this; yes this children will get this uniform for free but the tailors that are going to sew it will also get business so we will ensure that all the uniforms will be sown by these masters that are here this morning,” he stated.

A master craftsman and also dressmaker at Aboabo, Nafiu Issah, who is a beneficiary of the industrial tools worth GH₵ 310,000 from the Member of Parliament said he was given three apprentices to train in his workshop.

“He gave me three apprentices, so today they gave us one machine to maintain it for some time later they will add up another two machines so that it will be three,” he said.

Other beneficiaries of the initiative also expressed their delight by commending Mr Muntaka for the good work done for the constituency.

“We are thankful to Hon Muntaka Mubarak for this donation. These tools will also help me to build my career as a fashion designer,” one beneficiary told Joy News.

Another beneficiary said “I want these message to go beyond Asawase, other MPs should also copy from him. In fact, if we are to get a President like Hon. Muntaka for Ghana, I think he’s going to organize more of such things in various aspects of Ghana."