Two hundred and eighty young people in Bono Region have graduated from Sinapi Aba’s Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP) aimed at improving livelihoods.

The free three-year initiative is to alleviate unemployment among the youth in selected communities in the region.

The investment by the financial institution is to promote community development through its entrepreneurship program.

The beneficiaries who enrolled in the training selected vocational and technical skills of their choice during the period.

The youth were trained in hairdressing, dress-making, auto-electrical, auto-mechanic, tile laying, catering, aluminum fabrication, masonry and welding.

Programme Coordinator for the Youth Apprenticeship Program, Margaret Owusu Asare, said, "the move by the bank is to contribute to the reduction of unemployment in Ghana.

"Most of the youths are interested in learning a trade but they needed some financial support, that is why Sinapi Aba sponsored their three years training 

We want to urge parents to encourage their children to join the training anytime we come to their communities," she added.

The 280 beneficiaries were advised to be creative in their various fields.

Ing. Dr. Kwadwo Damoah-Afari, who is the Sanaahene of the Dormaa Traditional area added that, "the investment by the bank is commendable because these youth can now start their own businesses. 

"I want to urge the beneficiaries to make use of the opportunity by being creative and learning new things." 

Some beneficiaries who spoke to Luv news shared their stories. 

Damoah Michael, a Senior High School graduate who trained in masonry said, "I joined the training in 2020 after school and after three years I can call myself a building engineer."

Another beneficiary, Badu Priscill said, "I heard the announcement on the radio, so I joined the training. I can now sew on my own and make some income. I'm grateful for the opportunity."