Mpohor Fiase Member of Parliament Godfred Kofi Bentil has provided equipment to young people, riders, utility workers and a basic school as part of an initiative to promote entrepreneurship and skills development in the constituency.
The donation includes 85 industrial sewing machines and 70 hair dryers, which are intended to support skills training and help beneficiaries establish or develop businesses.
A further 15 motorcycles were presented to the Okada Riders Association and selected staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana to assist with their work.
Trebuom SDA School also received a mini school bus to improve transport arrangements for students and teachers.
Mr Bentil said the programme was designed to help tackle unemployment, strengthen human capital and contribute to the socio-economic development of Mpohor Fiase.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the first “Accounting to the People” series, held at Mpohor, where he stressed the importance of continued investment in people and practical skills.
“This is just the beginning. I am determined to better the lives of the young people in the constituency. It is my hope that next year, we increase the number of beneficiaries and items, such that the impact could be felt in almost every community in the district,” he added.
The Western Regional Chairman of the NDC, Nana Kojo Toku, praised the MP for introducing the initiative and said it could have wider social benefits.
He argued that providing young people with skills and opportunities to earn a living could help deter them from illegal mining and other social vices in the area.
“I will encourage other MPs in the region to emulate this. Our youth deserve to be supported economically if we are to solve this unemployment issue,” Nana Toku emphasised.
Mr Bentil said the intervention would not be a one-off exercise. He assured constituents that further targeted programmes would be introduced to improve living conditions across the constituency.
The support is expected to give beneficiaries the means to acquire practical skills, start businesses and improve their livelihoods.
The MP said the initiative would be expanded next year, with the aim of reaching more beneficiaries and supplying additional items so that its effect could be felt in almost every community in the district.
By Benjamin William Peters