Frank Mensah
3 November 2009
Kumasi — THIRTY GRADUATE apprentices have received tools and equipment worth GH¢10,000 from the Rural Enterprise Project (REP) and the Amansie West District Assembly, under the Graduate Apprentices Support Fund (GASF), to enable them start their own businesses.
The beneficiaries include hairdressers, barbers, dressmakers, tailors, gas welders, auto mechanics, general and auto electricians, masons and carpenters.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie West, Mr. Charles Oti-Prempeh, who presented the equipment to the beneficiaries at a ceremony at Manso-Nkwanta, the district capital, said the gesture was in recognition of the role of the Rural Enterprises Project in imparting skills for the youth to contribute to national production.
He said since acquiring start-up capital to kick their own businesses was difficult, against the fact that only 23% of graduate apprentices are able to start up their business, the programme would help improve the standard of living in rural economies.
The DCE cautioned the beneficiaries against selling, subletting, hiring out or renting their equipment to non-graduate apprentices, else stand the risk of having their equipment withdrawn, and the cost surcharged on defaulters.
The district head of the Business Advisory Board, Mr. Kwame Agyenim Boateng, said the REP had since its inception in the Amansie West District, provided basic tools and equipment to 60 selected graduate apprentices with a start-up capital of GH¢1,600.
Mr. Agyenim Boateng indicated that the project was intended to reduce poverty, and improve the standard of living in poor rural communities.
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