Give equal attention to skills training- Song-Ba Empowerment Center urges parents and guardians

Thirteen (13) young women have graduated from the Song-Ba Empowerment Center after successfully completing a three-year intensive apprenticeship programme in traditional weaving.

The graduation formed part of ongoing efforts by the Song-Ba Empowerment Center and its partners to promote informal sector apprenticeship and women’s economic empowerment through technical and vocational skills development.

Speaking at the fifth graduation ceremony, the Executive Director of Song-Ba Empowerment Center, Rhoda Kadoa Wedam, appealed to parents and guardians to give equal attention to skills training alongside formal education.

According to her, vocational skills such as weaving provide sustainable livelihoods and equip young people with the means to become economically independent.

Madam Wedam noted that the centre has, over the years, trained several young women in textile weaving, many of whom are now operating successful businesses and supporting their families.

She stressed that empowering women economically contributes significantly to reducing gender-based violence, as women with sustainable sources of income are better positioned to make independent decisions and improve their living conditions.

Four outstanding trainees received weaving equipment to establish their own weaving centres. The ceremony was attended by parents, traditional leaders, officials of the Ghana TVET Service and development partners.

The Northern Regional Head of Informal Apprenticeship at the Ghana TVET Service, Umaimatu Abdul-Wahab, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening apprenticeship training across the region.

She explained that the Ghana TVET Service will continue to identify and mobilise master craft persons, assess industry skills gaps and provide the necessary support to ensure apprentices acquire competencies that meet industry demands.

 She described skills development as a practical solution to youth unemployment, adding that it would also help reduce the growing migration of young people to southern Ghana in search of non-existent jobs. Grant Manager for the Renewed Women Voices In Leadership Project at Plan International Ghana, Francis Vuuri

encouraged the graduates to continue upgrading their skills, embrace innovation and use the knowledge acquired to create employment opportunities for themselves and others.