Ashaiman, March 20, GNA - The German Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Peter Linder, has commissioned a 390,000 Euro Automobile workshop supported by the German Development Cooperation for the St. Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre, at Ashaiman, near Tema.

The programme also coincided with the third graduation ceremony of 82 students of the school, who received National Vocational Training Institute Certificate Grade II and Grade I and Don Bosco Centre Certificates.

In a speech, the Ambassador mentioned that Germany annually provides over 2 billion Euros for Development Cooperation to African countries, half of which is utilised for bilateral cooperation. He said the German Embassy is also currently funding the expansion of the computer Hall of DBTVC at a cost of 8,000 Euros to ensure an increase in computer literacy amongst the people.

He observed that training and acquisition of skills would be of no use, if young people come out of school and do not earn a decent living. He however, mentioned employment for the youth to be an important element of poverty reduction policy, which he said should always ensure that youth from the poorest part of the society are not marginalized. To achieve that, Mr Linder advocated for the need for an alliance in which labour market and the economic policies complement each other with the promotion of vocational training and employment generation for the youth.

He advised the students to make sure they apply whatever skills they have acquired in the school throughout the period of training to ensure that they have a good start in life.

The Senior Minister, Mr J.H Mensah entreated them to follow the instructions of their teachers, learn to do every work out of their hearts and avoid doing shoddy work for money.

"Let the good standard of work and behaviour that has been taught to you stay with you throughout your lives so that you can legitimately live your lives".

He assured them of the Government's commitment in making all reasonable sacrifices to make sure shoddy work behaviour, which had become the attitude of some Ghanaian contractors, especially, will not be accepted in the near future.

The Principal of the school, Rev. Fr Ivan Stojanovic said the school, which started with 12 students in July 1999, now has 252 students population with 38 members of staff.

He said the school at present offers various courses in electrical installation, Electronics, Automobile, Secretarial, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning as well as Welding and Fabrication.

He mentioned some of the challenges of the school as to equip all workshops with additional needed equipment, building a girl hostel and acquiring a bus for the centre and hoped individuals and order organisations would come to assist them.