Afari (Ash), Feb. 15, GNA - The Anglican Diocese of Kumasi, has buil= t a GH¢100,000.00 multi-purpose training centre at Afari, near Nkawie in Atwima-Nwabiagya District, to provide unemployed girls with skills to mak= e them economically self-supporting. Already, 70 trainees are undergoing vocational training in catering,=

hairdressing and dressmaking. Bishop Tom Butler of the Southwark Diocese, United Kingdom, provided=

the funding through his Foundation, Lenten Fund. Inaugurating the centre, Nana Asare Bediako, District Chief Executiv= e for Atwima-Nwabiagya, praised the Church for the initiative and pledged t= he assembly's support. He called on individuals and organisations to support government in fixing the economy to create jobs for the people. Nana Bediako called for "Church-state partnership" to make life bett= er for the people, especially those in deprived areas. Right Reverend Dr. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, Kumasi Diocesan Anglican Bishop,=

said the trainees would be supplied with basic tools and seed money to st= art businesses. He said the Trinity Grant Wall, New York, US, is making available fu= nds for micro-financing, to help women to expand their businesses. Rev. Dr. Sarfo advised the youth to be disciplined and engaged in productive ventures. Mrs. Augustine Gyamfi, acting Ashanti Regional Director, Department= of Women, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, asked the youth to take advantage of the centre and acquire vocational skills. Nana Akua Tawia II, Queen Mother of Afari, commended the Church for initiating the project and pledged the people's support for the programme= .. 15 Feb. 10