By: Daniel Donkor
Thirty-six beneficiaries under the government’s National Apprenticeship Programme in the Wenchi Municipality of the Bono Region have received training equipment to strengthen practical skills training and support youth employment initiatives.
The beneficiaries comprise six master trainers and thirty trainees who form the first batch of participants under the programme in the municipality.
The presentation ceremony, held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the forecourt of the Wenchi Municipal Assembly, marked the official rollout of the initiative aimed at equipping young people with hands-on vocational skills to enhance their employability and promote self-reliance.
Speaking at the event, the Bono Regional Director of the National Apprenticeship Programme, Adams Mohamed, explained that the initiative is designed to provide structured vocational training for young people while strengthening the capacity of local trainers.
According to him, the programme currently supports six master trainers and thirty trainees in the municipality, forming part of government’s broader strategy to tackle youth unemployment through practical skills development.
“This programme is focused on empowering the youth with employable and self-reliant skills. By supporting both trainers and trainees with the necessary tools, we are ensuring that practical instruction becomes more effective and impactful,” he said.
The Wenchi Municipal Chief Executive, Gloria Opoku Gyamfi, together with Mr. Adams Mohamed, presented the equipment to the beneficiaries.
Five dressmaking trainers received butterfly hand-sewing machines, industrial sewing machine sets, neating machine sets, and other accessories to facilitate effective training. In addition, a hairdressing trainer was presented with a professional hair dryer and other essential tools to support practical instruction.
Also addressing the gathering, the Bono Regional Director of the National Youth Authority, Mr. Desmond Sabala, urged young people in the region to take full advantage of the apprenticeship programme.
He stressed that government remains committed to empowering the youth through sustainable job creation and skills development initiatives.
“This programme offers a great opportunity for young people to acquire practical skills that can help them become self-employed and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he noted.
For her part, the Wenchi Municipal Chief Executive advised the beneficiaries particularly the master trainers to take proper care of the equipment and ensure that the tools are used for their intended purpose.
She cautioned that any negligence that leads to the loss or damage of the items would attract consequences.
“You must take full ownership of these tools. If the equipment is misplaced, damaged, or the tasks assigned are not completed, you will bear the consequences,” she warned.
The National Apprenticeship Programme forms part of government’s efforts to promote technical and vocational skills development, particularly among young people, as a pathway to reducing unemployment and fostering sustainable livelihoods in communities across the country.
