ActionAid Ghana (AAG), on Wednesday, provided 40 Information Communication Technology (ICT) Start-up Toolkits to beneficiaries of the European Union-funded Sustainable Livelihoods and Transparent Local Authorities (SLATLA) project in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly (LaNMMA).

The 60 beneficiaries of the SLATLA training, who had undergone a three-month Personal Computer Support and Maintenance Training under the project, were also rewarded with certificates.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, quoted Madam She-Vera Anzagira, the Greater Accra and Volta Regional Programme Manager of ActionAid Ghana as saying, the project would contribute to the growth of the local economy.

“Under this project, we have been working with local artisans, agri-business entrepreneurs, ICT professionals and many others to promote sustainable livelihoods, decent work and positive employable options for women and youth groups.

“Since its launch, SLATLA has benefitted over 1,000 young people, women, and People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in the Greater Accra and Brong Ahafo regions, being the two regions it is being implemented and have been trained in mushroom farming, vegetable farming, poultry feed processing, poultry, and grasscutter rearing with many more presently undergoing artisanal training in tiling, plumbing, and embroidery,” it said.

The statement said the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Assembly, Madam Jennifer Dede Afagbedzi, thanked ActionAid Ghana for its support and encouraged beneficiaries of the SLATLA project to make use of the toolkits.

“I urge you all to use the training tools you have been given to create jobs for yourselves by adding that; “When community members build businesses that thrive, the Assemblies can also generate revenue through tax, which can be used to develop the Assembly and provide facilities to community members,” Madam Afagbedzi was quoted as saying.

The SLATLA project has an overall impact of contributing to the promotion and growth of the informal local economy in 40 communities in the Greater Accra and Brong Ahafo regions.

AAG is co-implementing the project with two district assemblies; the Sunyani West District Assembly (SWDA) and LaNMMA.

Aside from giving beneficiaries in the two local authorities’ skills training and employable skills, ActionAid Ghana is working with the two assemblies to improve accountability, transparency and revenue mobilisation in their local authorities.