The Center for Development and Policy Advocacy (CEDEPA) has successfully empowered ten women with employable weaving skills as part of its ongoing commitment to improving livelihoods and supporting youth and women’s economic independence. The graduation ceremony, held over the weekend, marked the completion of an intensive training program in weaving.
Speaking at the event, the project consultant, Mr. Ziblim Alhassan, expressed deep gratitude to parents, community members, and development partners for their continuous support. He highlighted CEDEPA’s long-standing dedication to providing practical skills to young people and women who are unable to further their education due to financial constraints.
Mr. Alhassan disclosed that the CEDEPA has so far graduated 48 trainees across various skills sectors, including weaving, beadwork, dressmaking, computer literacy, satellite installation, and make-up artistry. He noted that the current group of weavers represents the last batch of trainees under the recent phase of the project.
According to him, the weaving training began two years ago, during which the participants received hands-on coaching and practical lessons to equip them with income-generating skills. “We are confident that the trainees have acquired adequate knowledge and can now use these skills to earn a living and support themselves,” he said.
To facilitate their transition into entrepreneurship, each graduate was presented with a weaving machine and a start-up capital of GH₵1,500, a package Mr. Alhassan described as essential for boosting their confidence and helping them start small-scale weaving businesses immediately.
He further mentioned that many of the beneficiaries were senior high school graduates who could not continue their education due to financial difficulties. “Now, they have meaningful skills that can transform their lives and make them financially independent,” he added.
The project, he explained, was funded by Adamfo Ghana, an NGO based in the Netherlands that has been partnering with CEDEPA to support skills development initiatives. Mr. Alhassan also revealed that the training included entrepreneurship lessons to help the graduates manage their businesses effectively and sustain them in the long term. He noted that the project ended in September, and CEDEPA is currently seeking additional support to continue and expand its impact.
During the ceremony, a husband of one of the beneficiaries, Nuhu Rufai whose wife was part of the weaving program expressed gratitude to CEDEPA, Adamfo Ghana and partners for the training. He shared how the skills acquired by his wife have already contributed significantly to their household’s livelihood. He encouraged other men to allow their wives to acquire vocational skills to support their families.
One of the graduates also shared an emotional testimony, expressing her joy and appreciation to CEDEPA and Adamfo Ghana for the life-changing opportunity. She said the training has not only improved her financial prospects but also strengthened her role in her family.
One of the beneficiaries also shared her heartfelt gratitude to CEDEPA and Adamfo Ghana for transforming her life. She noted that the training has enabled her to earn additional income to support her household. She further revealed that, thanks to the support received, she has been able to continue her education at the University for Development Studies, allowing her to further her career ambitions.
The ceremony ended with renewed calls for more investment in vocational training as a sustainable way of empowering women and promoting economic development in local communities.
Source: Ibrahim Angaangmeni Alhassan/zaaghana.com
