Fifteen young persons in the Sunyani City in Bono Region have taken a bold step toward financial independence and self-reliance under the Resilient City for Adolescent (RCA) Project being implemented by the Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF) and its primary partners, Indigenous Women Empowerment Network and Citizens Watch Ghana.
The beneficiaries, drawn from Sunyani West and Sunyani Municipal, have been presented with 15 brand-new industrial sewing machines and other essential tools to enhance their training in fashion design at the cost of GHS75,000 each.
The project is being funded by Fondation Botnar through Ecorys UK under its Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA2) at the cost of GBP329,000 for 3 years. It features two modules: The Entrepreneurship Module and the Fashion and Design Module.
The intensive training is being conducted by Kenzy Fashion Institute, a renowned fashion training centre based in Sunyani for a period of one and a half years.
It is designed to equip vulnerable youth with employable skills and practical tools to start their own businesses.
Chief Executive Officer of GLOMEF, Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu, at a short presentation ceremony in Sunyani, said the initiative is part of GLOMEF’s broader effort to reduce youth unemployment and social vices among adolescents in urban areas.
“The devil finds work for idle hands. This project is about giving young people a chance to build meaningful lives. We urge parents to support their children and help GLOMEF and our donor partners to sustain this intervention. Our hope is that these trainees will become role models in their communities,” Mr. Ahenu stated.
The ceremony saw strong support from local government stakeholders. Representing the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Development Planning Officer, Mr. Samuel Kofi Adagbodzo commended GLOMEF for easing the burden of job creation on the assembly. He pledged the Assembly’s commitment to monitoring the progress of the beneficiaries to ensure sustainability and greater impact.
Also addressing the gathering, Ms. Harriet Esmeralda, Senior Development Planning Officer at the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly, underscored the importance of monitoring the beneficiaries for proper utilization of the equipment received.
Mrs. Lydia Sefa, Bono Regional Director of the Youth Employment Authority, praised GLOMEF’s initiative as a shining example of how private organizations can contribute meaningfully to solving the youth unemployment crisis in Ghana.
“Ghana is a youthful country, and initiatives like this are critical. We encourage other NGOs and private organizations to replicate what GLOMEF has done here today,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of all the beneficiaries, Ms. Theresa Mawuena expressed profound gratitude to GLOMEF and its partners. She pledged that the industrial sewing machines and the skills acquired would not only be used for personal advancement but also be transferred to other adolescents in their communities.
“This opportunity is meant to change our lives. We are not only empowered to sew but ready to grow and support others,” she said.
The Resilient City for Adolescent Project is a promising model for community-driven youth development offering skills, tools, and hope to the next generation.
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