Darlings Vocational Training Institute equips graduates

Eleven graduates from the Darlings Vocational Training Institute (DVTI) at Amanful No. II in the Agona East District of the Central Region have been presented with working tools after successfully completing courses in hairdressing and dressmaking at the institute.

The institute honoured the 11 with hair dryers and sewing machines to support their businesses, in appreciation of their efforts to make effective use of the skills acquired. 

They were among 27 trainees who graduated from the institute at its fourth graduation ceremony, which also marked the 10th anniversary of the institute.

Those who pursued a four-year intensive course were awarded with National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) Advanced Certificate, while those who completed the two-year and three-year courses were awarded with NVTI Proficiency I and NVTI Proficiency II certificates respectively.

According to the Executive Director of the institute, Mrs Comfort Ayisibea Abanquah, the institute decided to honour the 11 graduates because some of them have entered into partnership to work with people, whilst others have taken the initiative to establish small-scale businesses after their training, but lacked the needed equipment.

Challenges confronting young girls

She expressed concern about the challenges confronting most of the young girls in the area, saying some of them were from less-privileged homes and were finding it difficult to make ends meet.

She added that those who were ready to work but had no support could fall victim to pre-marital sex and be exposed to other social vices, which could affect their future.

She urged them to be focused on and dedicated to their work, in order to improve their living standards and contribute to the development of their communities and the nation at large.

Enrollment challenges

The Headmistress of the school, Ms Lucy Nyarko, mentioned low patronage by the community, financial constraints facing some of the students and the deplorable nature of access roads to the town, as some of the challenges confronting the institute.

She said even though tuition was free, most people had difficulties catering for their feeding cost and, therefore, called for public support to assist the needy girls. 

A graduate, Ms Sarah Ofori, commended the authorities for their immense support towards their spiritual, educational and social upbring, saying, “I have acquired enough skills to improve my life”.

She mentioned insufficient infrastructure and lack of potable water as some of the major challenges of the school and called for public support.