Equipment for beneficiaries of the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) has been officially handed over at the Dabala Lorry Park in the South Tongu District.
The ceremony was attended by the Representative of the Member of Parliament for South Tongu, Hon. Maxwell Kwame Lukutor, District Chief Executive of South Tongu, Hon. Victoria Dzeklo, Hon. Richard Adusu Dorvlo; the Volta Regional Director of NAP, Mr. Johnson Samlafo; and the Regional Director of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Mr. Charles Yao Gomenu. Also present were several trainers, including Madam Catherine Foe, Madam Rebecca Tekpor, Madam Elizabeth Aheto, Amega David Nyakpo, Madam Cindy Seyram Zonyrah, Madam Datsa Forgive, Amega Godwin Kofi Dogbatse, and Madam Monica Foli.Also present is the secretary of the NDC DR Lawer Egbenya, Women Organizer Alice Nartey, the Presiding Member Hon Mensah Kudze and staffs of the District Assembly
Speaking on behalf of the MP, Hon. Richard Adusu Dorvlo explained that Hon. Maxwell Lukutor wished to be present but was unable to attend due to a national assignment. He described the programme as a clear demonstration of President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to youth development, job creation, and skills training.
He further disclosed that the MP intends to launch similar programmes under the NAP and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) in the South Tongu Constituency. He emphasized the desire of the MP to work closely with the District Chief Executive to lobby for more development projects for the constituency.
Hon. Dorvlo advised beneficiaries to take proper care of the working tools presented to them and warned against selling or misusing them. He also encouraged trainers to guide trainees to further their education and upgrade their skills. According to him, the NDC government remains committed to creating more job opportunities for the youth.
On behalf of the chief and people of Dabala, the Queenmother, Mama Akobo III, expressed gratitude to the government for the initiative. She introduced the slogan “Ne miexɔe, mia lebene, ne miexɔe, mia zɛ nyuie,” which translates as, “If we receive it, we shall take good care of it; if we receive it, we shall use it well.”
The District Chief Executive also expressed appreciation to H.E. John Dramani Mahama for the opportunity given to the youth. She stressed that the programme is non-partisan and open to all Ghanaians, not only members of the NDC. She reiterated the government’s commitment to paying monthly allowances to trainees and stipends ranging between GHC 2,000 and GHC 3,000 to trainers. She explained that tools given to trainees will be replaced upon completion, while machines given to trainers will remain with them for training new entrants.
The Volta Regional Director of NAP, Mr. Johnson Samlafo, described the programme as a new model of apprenticeship, noting that South Tongu is the first beneficiary of the initiative. He stated that the programme will be run similarly to formal educational institutions and that the use of trainees for household chores or farm work will not be tolerated. He added that trainees will write examinations for the award of CTVET certification and urged them to take their training seriously.
Mr. Samlafo further disclosed that monthly allowances will be paid to trainees through their mobile money accounts and E-zwich cards. He announced plans to adopt the slogan introduced by Mama Akobo III as a national slogan for the programme.
In all, hand sewing machines, electric sewing machines, hairdryers, and knitting machines were presented to forty beneficiaries and eight trainers from the South Tongu Constituency.
