UNICEF has signed a five-year multilateral agreement with management of Assemblies of God Relief and Development Services (AGREDS - Ghana) estimated at over GH¢200,000 (Two billion cedis) to support vocational and skills training of girls in Northern Region. Under the programme, which began in 2006, the church is expected to train 360 girls annually at its skills training centres in Tamale, Yendi and Zabzugu. Madam Georgina Hamidu, Programmes Communication Officer of UNICEF announced this in Tamale at the graduation of 63 girls who had undergone four-month training in skills acquisition for sustainable livelihoods. They were trained in hairdressing, catering, cosmetics, soap making and crocheting. Madam Hamidu said for the first quarter in 2006, UNICEF released over GH¢15,400 (154 million cedis) for disbursement to the three centers with Tamale receiving GH¢9,900 (99 million cedis) adding that the same amount had been released this year. She said Tamale centre was expected to train 200 girls in peri-urban Tamale annually up to 2010. Mr Ibrahim Dokurugu, Senior Programme Officer of AGREDS-Ghana, said the organisation had established occupational skills training centres at Zabzugu, Bimbilla, Gushiegu to address the "Kayayei" phenomenon through the provision of employable skills. He commended government for the introduction of National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) to provide employment for the youth and appealed for the establishment of more vocational schools in Northern Region. Mr Dokurugu also appealed to the municipal and district assemblies to support the graduates with micro-credit facilities to enable them establish their own businesses. Source: GNA