By Daniel Adu Darko
Otaakrom (Ash), May 22, GNA – The Social Investment Fund (SIF) has handed over the construction site for a GHC7.5 million technical training centre at Otaakrom Technical Institute to Fapim Construction and Engineering Limited.
The facility, located in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, is being funded by the African Development Bank under the Post COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP) to strengthen technical and vocational education and improve youth employability.
Mr Abass Nurudeen, Chief Executive Officer of SIF, told the Ghana News Agency during the handing-over ceremony that the project would provide students with practical skills for self-employment and job creation.
“The whole idea is to equip students with practical skills so that they do not graduate to add to the unemployment pool, but rather become self-employed and create opportunities for others,” he said.
Mr Nurudeen said the centre would include climate-resilient offices and facilities designed to ensure accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and support gender inclusion.
He said the project would be completed within 12 months, after which equipment would be procured to make the centre operational.
Mr Nurudeen said investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) remained important in addressing youth unemployment and developing skilled manpower for national development.
“We are churning out a lot of graduates in the humanities who come out with no employment opportunities, becoming a liability to society. This facility will whip up interest in TVET because the youth will know they can acquire ready skills to sustain themselves,” he said.
Mr Daniel Amoh, Ashanti Regional Deputy Director of TVET, described the project as a strategic investment in skills development and entrepreneurship promotion among the youth.
“TVET remains a key driver of national development. It is my hope that upon completion, this facility will serve generations of learners and contribute to skilled manpower in the Atwima Mponua District and the region at large,” he said.
Ms Ama Adwubi Asafoagyei, Atwima Mponua District Director of Education, urged the contractor to ensure quality and timely execution of the project.
Mr Samuel Akrasi, Principal of Otaakrom Technical Institute, said the facility would enhance practical training and help align technical education with industry needs.
He appealed to the contractor to allow students and staff to use the site for workplace experiential learning during the construction phase.
Mr Akrasi said the institute would use the facility to train students in electrical engineering, fashion, catering and agro-processing.
Mr Issahak Ibrahim, District Chief Executive for Atwima Mponua, urged students to take advantage of the investment to improve their academic and professional prospects.
He commended SIF and the management of the institute for facilitating the project in the district.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Daniel Adu Darko
Email: [email protected]
