Sinapi
Aba Trust is confident of receiving additional funding support from partners to
expand its Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YAP), as a sustainable solution to
mass youth unemployment in Ghana.
Through
financial support from Opportunity International network, the scheme provides
employable and entrepreneurial skills development to the youth.
Beneficiaries
are equipped with training, tools and start-up capital for their income earning
opportunities.
Over
1,800 young persons from seven regions have benefitted from the programme since
inception in 2003, said Thomas Appiah-Mensah, Youth Development Manager for the
Programme.
“Some
of those who have graduated already have accessed the start-up capital and they’re
now on their own; and the loan is very flexible, we give them a grace period of
three months and they use eight months for repayment…on a whole, we have
succeeded in creating this income earning opportunity for vulnerable youth in
Ghana”, he said.
Apprentice
under the program enroll in a three year project to acquire vocational skills
in various marketable trades, including dressmaking, hairdressing, carpentry,
wielding, plumbing, ICT, auto spraying and cookery.
The
program is also designed to respond to the sexual and reproductive health needs
of young persons, especially HIV/AIDS education and prevention.
The
Programme would be expanded to all regions of the country, Mr. Appiah-Mensah told
Luv Biz Report at the 13th graduation ceremony for some beneficiaries in
Kumasi.
He
believes additional support from government would help reach out to more employed
youth.
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