The future of the Kayayei Training Center and Hostel facility, established to empower female head porters in Accra, remains uncertain as the initiative faces setbacks following the 2024 elections.
Launched on May 21, 2024, by then-Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Kayayei Empowerment Programme was designed to provide vocational training and transitional jobs for 5,000 female porters. The intensive three-week program covered skills such as baking, beading, personal healthcare, financial management, and entrepreneurship, with accommodations provided for trainees. However, recent reports indicate that the facility has suffered neglect and vandalism, stalling the progress of the initiative.
Pearl Mawusi Broohm, National Coordinator for the Kayayei Program under the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), acknowledged that while the program had trained about 3,600 women, it fell short of its original target. Despite this, she emphasized that many beneficiaries had successfully used their newly acquired skills to earn a living.
In a troubling development, Emmanuel Asamoah, the facility manager, revealed that following the elections, the center was looted by individuals who allegedly identified as supporters of the new government. Essential equipment, including televisions and CCTV monitors, was stolen, and the facility sustained damage. A police report was filed, but no updates have been provided regarding the investigation.
While concerns grow over the deteriorating state of the center, Broohm insists that the YEA has not received any official complaints about the facility’s condition. She assured the public that steps would be taken to restore the center for future trainees, emphasizing that a dedicated facility manager is in place to oversee maintenance.
As the government transitions, the fate of the Kayayei Training Center remains in question, with calls for urgent intervention to ensure that the initiative continues to serve its intended purpose—empowering vulnerable women with sustainable skills and economic opportunities.
