Twenty-one underprivileged young girls who were engaged in head-porter services, popularly known as kayayei, have been removed from the streets of Accra and trained to acquire skills in painting and tiling, two non-traditional roles that are fast-growing in demand.
The project was implemented by KASPRO and supported by the United National Population Fund (UNFPA) under the global programme to end child marriage and with support from Prudential Life Insurance.
It was aimed at economically empowering the girls so as to prevent them from experiencing the dangers associated with street life in Accra. The project was also aimed at providing the kayayeis with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to break free from the cycle of poverty and exploitation.
The girls, according to the project implementers (KASPRO), were selected from a pool of 50 who participated in a career interest workshop from CMB market, Accra, Osu, and Darkuman markets.
After completing their training with master craftsmen, they were placed in industrial attachments with leading companies.
The Head of the Purim African Youth Development Platform Office, Rev. Aku Xornam Kevi, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of KASPRO-Off the street celebration held in Accra on Thursday, December 12, 2024, said “Girls who specialized in painting have attached to Kaprisky Creations, a renowned painting and interior design company in Ghana. Those who specialized in tiling have been placed with Skilful Tiling, a company that has been providing top-notch tiling services in the country”.
She added “to ensure the girls’ safety and well-being, accommodation has been provided for them close to the communities where they have been enrolled in industrial attachments. The accommodation is also conveniently located near their master craftsmen, allowing for easy accessibility and oversight”.
In addition to the training and industrial attachment, Rev. Kevi revealed that the girls have been provided with stipends to support their day-to-day activities during their apprenticeship.
“This financial support is aimed at helping the girls to focus on their training and development, without the burden of financial stress”, he underscored.
Representatives from the UNFPA and Prudential Life Insurance took turns to express their joy at the project kick-off and the enthusiasm it has generated among the girls.
The KASPRO project is a collaborative initiative between Prudential Life Insurance and UNFPA. The project aims to empower vulnerable women and girls, known as Kayayei, by providing them with vocational training, industrial attachments, and financial support. The project’s overarching goals are to help Kayayei break free from the cycle of poverty and exploitation, and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.