About 927 persons have benefitted from the Local Enterprise and Skills Development (LESDEP) Programme in the Western Region, Madam Emelia Arthur, Deputy Western Regional Minister, said on Monday. She was speaking at the graduation of 60 trainees of the LESDEP in the Shama District after one-week refresher courses at Abuesi. The trainees undertook courses in dressmaking, hairdressing, catering, barbering, fishing, auto mechanic and mobile phone repairing. Later they were presented with tools for their work including hairdryers, sewing machines, outboard motors and mini vans, among others. Madam Arthur said the graduation was the first of its kind in the district and more people in the district would benefit in the second phase of the programme in February this year. LESDEP is a Presidential Initiative aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises. Madam Arthur urged the trainees to use the equipment to earn a living and contribute towards the growth of the economy. She said the trainees would pay for the equipment on terms agreed upon with the financiers. Mr. Gabriel Essilfie, Member of Parliament (MP) for Shama, urged officials in the district entrusted with the implementation of the programme to be transparent and accountable to the people. He said he would ensure that district officials of the programme did the right thing so that more people would benefit from the programme.