The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, celebrated the graduation of over 500 youth she trained in various vocational skills over the past three years.

The initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical skills for sustainable livelihoods has been described as a life-changing programme for the beneficiaries and the community at large.

The trainees mastered skills in dressmaking, hairdressing, shoemaking, plumbing, phone repairs, baking, ICT, and soapmaking.

To crown their efforts, they took the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) exams, which qualified them to receive certificates presented during a brief but vibrant graduation ceremony.

In her address to the media, Madam Gomashie expressed her passion for empowering young people, particularly women, through skill acquisition.

“This initiative is part of my commitment to creating job opportunities and reducing unemployment in our constituency.

"It is a joy to see these young people equipped with skills that can transform their lives and those of others,” she remarked.

She also noted the challenges posed by the overwhelming number of participants, which prevented her from providing startup capital to the graduates.

However, she pledged to streamline future training sessions to ensure subsequent cohorts receive financial support to kickstart their businesses.

“For the next batch, I plan to reduce the numbers so that I can provide them with the needed startup capital. For those who couldn’t sit for the NVTI exams this year, arrangements have been made for them to take it in February 2025,” she added.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement as graduates shared their experiences and future plans with the media.

Many expressed gratitude for the skills acquired and the opportunity to start their own businesses.
One of the graduates, a budding shoemaker, said, “This training has given me a future I never thought possible. I am now ready to open my own workshop and train others in the community.”

The Ketu South MP reiterated her commitment to expanding the programme, envisioning a larger-scale operation that would benefit more constituents while ensuring the sustainability of the initiative.