Information Minister Inaugurates new Vocational Training Institute at Duusi

Narration: The Information Minister, John Tia Akologo has commissioned a new Vocational and Technical Training Institute at Duusi in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region at the cost of 140,000 Ghana Cedis. The new educational facility which was being sponsored under the MP’s Common fund and the GETfund is aimed at providing an alternative source of livelihood for those who could not qualify in gaining admission into senior high and technical as well as vocational institutes due to poor grades and poverty among other factors. It is also geared at creating employable skills for the teeming unemployed youth in the district and beyond. Correspondent Isaac Asare witnessed the ceremony and has come through with this report for Radio Ghana.
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The establishment of the Vocational and Technical Training Institute which began in 2007 comprises of 6 classrooms, a library, 2 office accommodations and a store. It is also equipped with 60 sewing machines, 40 hair dryers and other accessories valued at the cost of 25,000 Ghana Cedis. The institute when fully operational would offer courses in plumbing, carpentry and joinery, block laying and concreting, as well as basics in electrical. Other vocational courses to be offered include fashion and dressmaking, fashion and hairdressing, fashion and design as well as catering and its related courses. The information Minister Mr. John Tia Akologo who is the brain the project said government in its quest to improve upon the educational system in the country has put in place policy interventions to help address the problem of inadequate school infrastructure bedeviling most deprived communities across the country. According to him the provision of the training facility would offer the youth in the area the opportunity to unearth their inherent talents and also serve as an alternative source of livelihood for students who could not get placement into senior high and technical institutions. Mr. Tia Akologo entreated beneficiary students to make good use of the facility since efforts would be made to provide the needed tools and equipments to facilitate their training skills. He implored the private sector to get involved by providing the institute with other basic school infrastructure including staff and student accommodation to ensure smooth running of its administration. Mr. Tia Akologo charged the community members not to interfere with the administration of the institute or run businesses that would be detrimental to their operations. He therefore appealed to them to push the developmental of the school’s agenda forward so that the youth would reap its full benefit. He said his outfit is in the process of accessing funds to build a fence wall for the school to avoid encroachment. The District Director of Education, Mr. Francis Ayaba in a brief remark commended government and other stakeholders for the gesture. He said the facility has come at the appropriate time since the area is still facing the problem of child labour and the perennial youth migration down south. Mr Ayaba however entreated the youth to take advantage of the facility to develop their skills and explore opportunities made available to them. The District Chief Executive, Mrs. Vivian Anarfo on her part, urged the chiefs and custodians of the area to help release portions of their land for other developmental purposes. She also encouraged beneficiaries to take their lessons seriously when the institute becomes fully operational. Mr. Tia Akologo accompanied by the Chief of Duusi, Naab Abraham Lincoln Bayalim-Kambeu, later handed the keys over to the DCE and the District director of education for classes to begin.