Swedru Vocational Training Centre cries for financial assistance

The Agona Swedru Vocational Training Centre has appealed to the government to assist the centre financially to rehabilitate the Centre.

Mr Isaac Adingabi, the Headmaster of the Centre, said for about five years, the centre had not received funds from the government for maintenance, resulting in most of the structures in bad state.

Mr Adingabi said this when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Social Welfare, State Enterprises and Employment Issues visited the Centre.

The Committee members were led by the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Prince Jacob Hayibor, MP for Hohoe North.

The Headmaster said the Centre formerly known as “Boys Industrial School” trains juveniles who had been convicted by courts to reform and offers vocational training for other boys and girls.

He said it has 19 juvenile offenders and 500 other students.

Mr Adingabi said since the Centre was established in 1946 by the colonial government, the buildings had not been maintained.

He said the Centre depends on 50 Ghana cedis admission by regular students to run the school and this is inadequate for a smooth running of the school.

“I sometimes have to use my own money to feed the students,” Mr Adingabi said.

Mrs Opare Fremah, MP for Ayawaso Wugoun and Ranking Member for Social Welfare and Employment, appealed to the authorities of the Centre to be innovative and lobby non-governmental organizations for assistance.

Mr Hayibor said reports would be sent to the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and the government for action.

Source: GNA