200 young mothers in the Yilo Krobo Municipality have completed a livelihood skills training programme aimed at promoting economic independence and reducing vulnerabilities among rural women and teenage mothers.
The initiative, led by the International Child Development Programme (ICDP) in collaboration with the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly, was held in Somanya in the Eastern Region with support from the Mastercard Foundation, UNESCO and other partners.
The training forms part of the Digital Access and Rural Empowerment (DARE) Programme, a joint intervention designed to empower rural women, young girls and teenage mothers through vocational skills, digital literacy and entrepreneurship to enable sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking at the graduation on Saturday December 27, the Country Director of ICDP, Joyce Larnyoh, said participants were taken through practical training in trades including pastries and baking, hairdressing, sewing, soap and detergent production, decoration and make-up artistry, among other income-generating skills.
She said the programme also incorporated digital literacy sessions, with beneficiaries trained on how to use social media platforms to market and advertise their products to reach wider customer bases.
According to her, all participants received certificates of participation and start-up tools to enable them to begin their businesses immediately. The items included sewing machines, hairdryers, ovens, gas cylinders, flour, oil and chemicals for soap-making.
She explained that the intervention was designed to support national efforts to address teenage pregnancy, school dropout and unemployment, particularly among young girls in vulnerable communities.
In an interview with the GNA, she said, ” data analysis on teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and girl-child vulnerability is prevailing in Somanya, that demands quick intervention. ”
She added that the programme also covered childcare, safeguarding, reproductive health and responsible parenting to help beneficiaries balance work and family life.
Mrs. Larnyoh further noted that village savings and loan associations were introduced to encourage a savings culture among the women and to later link them with financial institutions for access to credit to expand their businesses.
“When you are empowered and working, issues like teenage pregnancy reduces. We are building your capacity to take care of yourselves and your children.”
She urged the graduates to remain focused and appealed to community members to support the young entrepreneurs to sustain their businesses.
On his part, the DARE Project Officer at UNESCO, Mr. Richmond Atta-Williams, said, “the graduation goes beyond a mere celebration of completion of a training, rather it marks alresilience, determination, and opportunity. ”
He described the start-up kits presented to the beneficiaries as tools of hope and empowerment and encouraged them to use their new skills to drive positive change in their communities.
One of the beneficiaries, Joyce Tettey, who was trained in soap-making, said the programme had transformed her life, describing her life before the training as miserable.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly, Francis Akumatey Addo, described the DARE Programme as a timely intervention that aligned with national digital transformation and poverty reduction goals.
He stressed the importance of digital and entrepreneurial skills for rural communities and advised the graduates to use the tools responsibly to improve their livelihoods.