Efforts by the government to tackle youth unemployment have received a boost in the Wenchi Municipality of the Bono Region, as dozens of young women begin vocational training under the National Apprenticeship Programme.
A total of 36 beneficiaries—comprising 30 trainees and six master trainers—have been equipped with industrial tools to support their participation in skills development programmes. The initiative is being implemented by the National Apprenticeship Programme as part of a broader strategy to promote job creation and reduce poverty.
The items distributed include sewing and netting machines, hair dryers, and other essential equipment designed to enhance practical training in trades such as dressmaking and hairdressing.
Presenting the equipment at a ceremony in Wenchi, the Bono Regional Director of the Programme, Adams Mohammed, described the beneficiaries as the first batch in the municipality and encouraged them to fully commit to the opportunity in order to build sustainable livelihoods.
Local authorities have also thrown their support behind the initiative. The Wenchi Municipal Chief Executive, Gloria Opoku, urged the participants to maintain the equipment and take advantage of the programme to secure meaningful employment.
The intervention aligns with ongoing efforts by youth-focused agencies, including the National Youth Authority, to equip young people with practical skills. Bono Regional Director of the Authority, Desmond Sabala, emphasized that vocational training remains critical to addressing unemployment and improving living standards.
He further encouraged unemployed youth across the region to consider apprenticeship pathways, noting that skills acquisition continues to play a vital role in national development.
The programme is expected to empower participants with hands-on experience and create new avenues for self-employment, particularly among young women in the municipality.
