BIRIM N:BigStep inaugurates GHs80, 000 apprenticeship training centre

The new apprnticeship centre

BigStep Foundation, a non governmental organization has inaugurated an apprenticeship training centre at Hweakwae in the Birim North District.

The facility which is described as an important step towards helping to alleviate employment among the youth in the area, comprise of four spacious rooms to be used as practical workshops, classrooms and offices.

It was made possible through the collaboration between BigStep Foundation Ghana and BigStep Foundation Netherlands and students from Delft University in Holland who help in mobilizing funds for the project and also devoted their time, energy and expertise in the design and actual construction of project.

The Hweakwae apprenticeship Training Centre is aimed at equipping the youth in the community with employable skills in areas like masonry, carpentry, still-bending, sawing, hairdressing as well as non traditional agricultural productions like bee-keeping, snail rearing, mushroom production and the likes. This is hoped to prepare the youth and provide them with opportunity to be employed by the mining firm working in the area as well as other areas where such skills may be needed.

Nana Osei Agyeman Prempeh Dwamena II, Hweakwaehene who mooted the idea for the establishment of the area said, most farm lands have been taken over for mining activities making it difficult for majority of the people who are engaged in farming to loose their livelihoods. For this reason, there was a need for alternative means of making a living hence the decision to establish the centre. He commended BigStep and especially the students for their dedication and commitment which compelled them to leave the comfort of their country to help the people of Hweakwae.

Mr. Hidde Janssen, leader of the students who call themselves Team Ghana, said it is better to teach a child to fish in order that he can continue to eat fish hence their commitment towards the project which is education oriented. He urged the people to put the centre to the best use so taht their efforts would not be in vain.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Gerard Duijfjes who graced the occasion commended the development and volunteerism spirit of the students and called on Ghanaian students at the level to emulate them to accelerate development in the country.

Mr. Samuel Anie-Amoah, Director, BigStep Ghana also announced that one of the students has also promised to help install solar system for the school instead of the national electricity grid. He thus appealed to philantropists and other well wishers including government for the provision of machins and other equipment to get the centre running.

Ghanadistricts.com