Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency, Francis Asenso-Boakye has presented modern industrial stitching and overlock machines to the Suntreso Technical Institute (STI), a government TVET institution in the Bantama constituency.

They included nine industrial straight stitch machines of the SGGEMSY and Unique brands and one industrial overlock machine of the unique brand.

The machines donated by the Works and Housing Minister would augment the pool of industrial machines at the Fashion Department of STI, which is a key requisite for obtaining the commission for TVET(CTVET) accreditation for the Fashion Designing Department.

At a short ceremony to handover the ten (10) brand new Industrial Fashion Design Machines on Monday 11th December 2023, Mr Asenso-Boakye indicated that technical and vocational skills businesses have been the backbone of strong economies the world over, citing the American economy as an example.

"It is not the big companies in America that make her economy strong, it's that small and medium ones, like those in the technical and vocational sector, that push their economy strong and growing."

Mr Asenso-Boakye said it is against this background that the Akufo-Addo government is investing hugely in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The legislator added that the current government has set up many TVET institutions in the country, and has upgraded the existing vocational and technical schools with the needed human and other needed resources.

He expressed optimism that the machines would expose the fashion designing students and learners to the modern-day industry's required machinery and know-how.

"These machines will also improve the practical skills delivery of the Fashion Designing Department of the Institute, and boost the Production Unit/Income Generation activities of the Department," he stated.

He charged the students to take their studies and training seriously as they have big market and business opportunities awaiting them after the training.

The lawmaker counselled them to burn out the misconception that TVET is for academically weak individuals.

"My daughter is a brilliant girl; she has attended the best schools in the US and Ghana, and she performs excellently academically, but she expressed interest in Fashion Design, and I am wholeheartedly supporting her to achieve her dream of becoming a world-class fashion designer," the Minister disclosed this to inspire the students.

The Bantama MP also promised his continuous support for the Suntreso Technical Institute, announcing that he's teamed up with the Principal of the College to solicit support from several quarters.

On his part, the Principal of Suntreso Technical Institute (STI), Mr Ebenezer Quarcoo praised Asenso-Boakye for the great support proffered to the school.

He disclosed that the MP facilitated the changing of the former O.I.C. into its current state, a full Technical Institute.

He appealed to other leaders, groups/organizations to emulate the good example demonstrated by Francis Asenso-Boakye, to make the Suntreso Technical Institute one of the best TVET schools in the country.