One hundred and fifty (150) young people in the Northern Region have successfully completed various vocational training programmes organised by Sinapi Aba Trust in collaboration with Opportunity International Deutschland (OID).
The beneficiaries underwent an intensive three-year apprenticeship programme in skills such as carpentry and joinery, hairdressing, weaving, dressmaking, plumbing and tiling, auto mechanics, and electrical installation.
The training formed part of Sinapi Aba Trust’s nationwide youth apprenticeship initiative aimed at equipping unemployed young people with employable skills to become self-reliant.
The graduation ceremony was held in Tamale under the theme: “Youth Apprenticeship Programme: The Solution to Youth Unemployment.” The graduates were presented with certificates after successfully completing the programme.
Throughout the training period, the apprentices were attached to experienced master craftsmen and received monthly stipends from the organization to support their learning.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Programme Officer of Sinapi Aba Trust, Joyce Owusu-Dabo, said the organization believes every young person possesses the potential to transform their own lives and contribute to national development if given the right opportunity.
Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity International Deutschland (OID), Viktoria Zwerschke, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting initiatives that equip young people with practical skills.
She noted that OID will continue to invest in youth empowerment to help them live dignified and self-sufficient lives.
According to her, the beneficiaries were carefully selected based on their unemployment status and difficult socio-economic backgrounds.
Two beneficiaries, Salifu Asanatu and Abdul Nasir, expressed their gratitude to Sinapi Aba Trust and OID for the opportunity and support.
According them, aside from acquiring vocational skills, the programme had also boosted their confidence and prepared her for independent living.
One of the master trainers, Jamilatu Abdul Mumin, called on government agencies and development partners to intensify their support for master craftsmen who train unemployed youth interested in learning vocational skills.
She also appealed to organizations supporting apprenticeship programmes to regularly monitor training centres to assess the progress of trainees and identify challenges faced by both apprentices and their masters.
