Accra, July 11, GNA - The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC) in collaboration with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, on Monday presented training equipment to the Ruquays' Youth and Traders Training Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), to facilitate its activities.

The equipment made up of five sets of hand sewing machines, a computer and accessories and a printer valued at about 2,000 dollars, is to support the activities of the Foundation in providing vocational training for the youth of the Town Council-Line Community in Accra.

The Foundation, which undertakes vocational training in batik and tie and dye, also offers literacy programmes, provides counselling for traders and sponsors brilliant but needy children in the community to go to school.

Mr Wang Jinghua, Counsellor, Embassy of the People's Republic of China, said the donation was a step to further deepen the collaboration between the two countries.

He said China enjoyed support from the government and people of Ghana and expressed the hope that the donation would go a long way to further empower women to acquire some form of skill to be able to take care of their children.

He noted that since women played a key role in the socio-economic development of a nation, their empowerment should be given priority to ensure maximum security for the entire nation.

Ms Cecilia Nyadia, Assistant Director, MOWAC, thanked the government and people of China for the support.

Madam Rukayatu Cruaye, Founder of the NGO, said the Foundation currently had 13 trainees for batik and tie and dye making, eight for sewing and 20 children are being sponsored at various levels in school. She appealed to parents in the community to release their children, especially girls, who were not in school, to come to the Foundation for training to help to eradicate poverty and minimize the illiteracy rate in the community. 11 July 05