39 APPRENTICES RECEIVE TOOLS (PAGE 20)

THIRTY apprentices within the Cape Coast metropolis have benefited from a GH¢26,000 basic tools package from the Sinapi Aba Trust (SAT) Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YAP).
The programme is currently being implemented in 10 districts in six regions, namely, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Western, Eastern and Central.
The total cost of the entire YAP project is 30,000 euros and is supported by the Christian Life Centre in Australia and partners from the Opportunity International, Deutschland.
Making the presentation in Cape Coast, the head of non-finance department of SAP, Mrs Josephine Adams, said the programme was designed to give the disadvantaged and vulnerable the opportunity to acquire skills to generate their own income and become independent and responsible citizens.
Mrs Adams used the occasion, which also coincided with the launch of the SAP in the Central Region, to advise both apprentices and master craftsmen to use the tools for the purpose for which they were provided.
She said the programme was also aimed at making the youth to be economically independent and reduce their vulnerability to anti-social vices such as prostitution and armed robbery.
The Vice-Chairman of SAP, Mr Ebo Hewton, said about 900 apprentices had benefited from the package since its inception in Kumasi in 1994.
Mr Hewton said the first batch of 40 beneficiaries who successfully passed their National Vocational and Technical Institute (NVTI) examination were given start-up capital to set up and manage their own businesses.
He said the project would soon be extended to the rest of the regions to enable more apprentices to benefit from it.
The Metropolitan Coordinating Director, Mr Kwame Oppong, who deputised for the central regional minister, called on SINAPI to liaise with the respective assemblies where they were operating to enable them to collaborate meaningfully for the success of the programme.
The Cape Coast branch Manager of the SG-SSB Bank, Mr J.B. Danquah, urged the beneficiaries, made up of hairdressers, dressmakers and wielders, to impart their skills to others who did not get the chance to participate in the programme.