MP Empowers Constituents with Skills Training to Promote Self-Employment
“My wish is to uplift the youth in my constituency, helping them become self-reliant in various productive sectors. During my tenure as MCE, I trained young people who are now successfully self-employed. I intend to continue this legacy as their Member of Parliament.”
The Honorable Member of Parliament for the La Dade Kotopon Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has taken a significant step in addressing unemployment and empowering her constituents through practical skills training. She organized a comprehensive program, “Ny3 Awo Kpakpa Skills Training Program”, offering modules such as Fashion Designing, Catering, Cosmetology, Soap Making, and Ice Cream Production, among others.
The initiative recently marked its third graduation ceremony, showcasing Hon. Sowah’s dedication to reducing unemployment and teenage pregnancy in her constituency.
Program Highlights
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Hon. Sowah reflected on the success of the initiative:
“During the launch of the 3rd session of the ‘Ny3 Awo Kpakpa Skills Training Program”, 315 students enrolled, and 274 successfully graduated, having also taken the NVTI certification exams.”
The third session, launched in May 2024, built on the program’s strong foundation. The first two sessions trained over 200 young men and women in various productive skills. Altogether, more than 400 constituents have participated in the training, and the program continues to grow in scope and impact.
Overcoming Challenges
In an interview, Hon. Sowah described the graduation as a “dream come true,” recounting the challenges faced in launching the program:
“As a politician, I believe in helping people become productive and independent rather than dependent. When I started this program, it was challenging, as I relied on my personal resources due to limited support in the constituency. Yet, my passion for empowering the youth kept me going.”
She emphasized her long-term vision of equipping young people with the tools to thrive:
“My wish is to uplift the youth in my constituency, helping them become self-reliant in various productive sectors. During my tenure as MCE, I trained young people who are now successfully self-employed. I intend to continue this legacy as their Member of Parliament.”
Commitment to Constituents
Hon. Sowah also highlighted the lack of promised government funding:
“The one million Ghana cedis per constituency promised by the government has not materialized in La Dade Kotopon. Yet, today, I am proud to celebrate the graduation of 500 youth who are now fully self-employed.”
Impact and Future Goals
The ‘Ny3 Awo Kpakpa Skills Training Program” underscores Hon. Sowah’s commitment to practical solutions for societal challenges. By equipping her constituents with marketable skills, she is fostering economic empowerment and self-reliance, which are crucial for sustainable development.
The success of this program offers a replicable model for addressing unemployment across Ghana, proving that impactful leadership can drive community transformation, even in the face of resource constraints.
By Majid Diallo || ghananewsonline.com.gh