LESDEP supports 78 trainees
As part of measures to create a sustainable local enterprise across the nation, the Local Enterprise Skills Development Programme (LESDEP) has presented tool kits to seventy-eight trainees.
The programme which is being initiated by government is to help address the unemployment rate in the country.
Some of the tool kits received by the trainees include hair dryers, steaming machines, utensils, cooking oil, cylinders, ice chests, tricycles, mobile shop van, sewing machines, and sterilizers.
The trainees who pursued a six-month refresher course in catering, dress making, hair dressing, and barbering were awarded certificates in their field of study.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony on Friday, Mr. Francis Adu-Blay Koffie, Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni/Valley said the project aimed at enabling unemployed persons to earn a living.
He said the aspiration of the district on the programme was to support and produce trainees suitable for self employment for the community and the country at large.
Mr. Koffie assured all that the assembly will not discriminate in the allocation of resources to individuals who participate in the programme.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Japheth Duga, Western Regional coordinator for LESDEP explained that the program will be implemented nationwide and was opened to every Ghanaian above 18 years.
He said the objective of government was to equip the unemployed in the society who had learned a trade but needed support in terms of resources to enable them to set up their own businesses.
Mr. Duga said although the trainees were required to pay for the tool kit being offered, the mode of payment will be made flexible to ensure that the trainees were not over-burdened.
The coordinator pointed out that the greatest challenge hindering the programme was the mode of selection for the trainees.
He said because the project was open to all workers also took advantage to register thereby preventing those who really needed help.
Mr. Duga said leaders of LESDEP will coordinate with the chiefs and assembly members to ensure that the unemployed were assisted.
Mr. Alhassan Zibrim a beneficiary commended government and called on Ghanians to take advantage of the programme as well as other government interventions.
Source: GNA