The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation has sponsored 315 artisans to write the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) examination for the second phase of its Skilled Artisans Project (SAP).
The examination took place at the Old Municipal Assembly of Oforikrom in Kumasi on Tuesday.
The phase one of the SAP started in 2023 with 389 individuals in the Ashanti Region being certified after training in hairdressing, dressmaking, tailoring, masonry, carpentry, motor vehicle mechanics, plumbing, among others.
Mr Moses Antwi Benefo, Head of Media of the GNPC Foundation, speaking at the event, mentioned that the successful artisans would be graduated and given start-up tools.
He said, the programme was a livelihood empowerment one, and that, “the GNPC is responsible for giving out the start-up tools, but the examination and certification is conducted and done by NVTI.”
The initiative, he pointed out, was geared towards empowering 2,135 individuals across the country.
He stressed that, “the programme is aimed at empowering the dreams and impact lives which targets the informal sector for its beneficiaries.”
Mr Benefo advised beneficiaries not to sell the start-up tools when given to them upon graduation but work with them to the benefits of their dependents and Ghana as whole towards the reduction of unemployment, especially among the youth in the country.
The SAP is a livelihood empowerment programme that trains and equips young artisans with vocational skills and tools.
It includes proficiency examination from the NVTI.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI
