About 2,777 traditional caterers (Chop bar keepers) in the region have been schooled on improved services at a two-week training, under the first phase of a Ghana Skills and Technology Development project.

The project is an International Monetary Fund (IMF) funding project through the Skills Development Fund (SDF).

The 2,777 caterers were drawn from ten branches of the Ghana Traditional Caterers Association in the Ashanti region, including Kejetia, Obuasi, Asawasi, Kwadaso, Offinso North and South, Mamponteng, Asokwa and Nkawie.

The participants were taken through food poisoning, food contamination, food preparation, personal hygiene, proper washing procedures and pest control, as well as design and construction of premises, customer service, and communication.

Another batch of about 3,000 traditional caterers would also be drawn from Bekwai, Kuntanase, Kodie, Tepa, Mankranso, Nyinahin, Agona, Mampong, Ofoase, Konongo and Odumase for the second phase of the training between August 3 and 20, 2015.

Mrs. Elizabeth Owusu, National President of the Ghana Traditional Caterers Association, said the training, which she described as a source of motivation for the caterers, would be held every six months to improve the skills of its members.

She said the training is open to members of the general public upon registration.