Government urged to set up skills development fund

A passionate appeal has been made for government to set up a skills development fund to support the youth desirous of acquiring vocational skills.

It will be a good step in creating the critically desired jobs for the youth and stem the perilous migration expeditions embarked upon by otherwise energetic young men and women who could be highly productive.

The call was made by the Director of the EKGS Culinary Institute in Accra, Madam Efua Goode Obeng-Kyei at the graduation of 90 students who had acquired skills in Cake Making and Decorating (Sugarcraft), Pastry Art, Cookery Art and Floral Décor.

She said over the years, it has become obvious that a great number of youths desire to acquire employable skills but are unable to meet the start-up requirements, saying the government could support them with a fund to manage the hurdle.

Madam Obeng-Kyei noted that after 19 years of imparting employable skills, EKGS was focusing on increasing access to culinary training to enable more people to acquire skills.

“We are of the considered opinion that giving our young people skills training has a ripple effect, since those trained will set up their own outlets and train other people, who in turn will set themselves up and train others, all with the sole aim of getting our young men and women off the streets of our cities and urban centers.

“If we are able to see our agenda through, we will be helping in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda of reducing poverty by 2030, since people who acquire skills are empowered to work and look after their dependants and pay taxes to build the economy. That is how great nations are built and sustained,” she said.

She said EKGS plans to carry out the agenda through options such as credit start-up kits with flexible payment terms for trainees and as such will create a network of trainees to ensure follow-ups, to include free business advisory services.

The Nkabomhene of the Kumawu Traditional Area of Ashanti, Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, who was full of admiration for the proprietor for her zeal to positively affect the life of the youth, told the trainees to accept and believe in themselves and see the sky only as the beginning.

He said people who willingly desire skills acquisition deserve to be celebrated as it points one sure way to develop the country.

Nana Otuo Acheampong said in skills acquisition all societal ills could be combatted and urged the graduands to constantly seek knowledge and add to themselves so they are thoroughly empowered.

“Remember that ordinary things do not make news. Seek to do great things, and strive to keep abreast with current developments to be on top. Explore and Experiment and remember to believe in yourselves first or no one else will believe in you.”

All the graduating students – 88 women and two men – mounted exhibitions of the products from the new skills they had acquired and were awarded certificates with outstanding ones winning various prizes.