The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation(GNPC) together with Aseda Foundation organised a graduation ceremony for two hundred and ten (210) artisans from the Greater Accra Region on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the GNAT Hall, Adabraka, Accra.

The 210 artisans acquired livelihood empowerment skills in trade disciplines such as steel bending, motor vehicle electricals, interior decoration, dressmaking, hairdressing, tailoring, arc welding, gas welding, masonry, carpentry, general electricals, tiling, aluminium fabrication, plumbing, motor vehicle mechanics, spraying, bakery, pastry, cookery, exterior decoration, beadmaking, make-up, shoe making, inter alia.

The graduates were given start-up tools that included but not limited to sewing machines, industrial machines, stand dryers, local ovens, cylinders, welding machines, cutting machines, polishing machines, tilers cutting machines, aluminium cutting machines, spraying machines, acetylene and oxygen cylinders, diagnostic machines, gas stoves, local oven cylinders, bench grinders, metal cutting machines and hacksaw frame complete to begin their entrepreneurial journey of life.

The artisans after excelling in their examination organised by the Ghana TVET Service, were also taken through some soft skills training to understand and appreciate the basic standards of business.

In a magniloquent fashion, the MCE for Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Hon Nii Adjei Tawiah, welcomed everyone to his Municipality and eulogised GNPC for making a remarkable improvement in the quality of life of the people of Ghana through this initiative.

With a paean of praise, the Executive Director of GNPC Foundation, Dr Dominic Kwesi Eduah articulated the purpose of gathering and providing details of all the projects done by GNPC in the Greater Accra Region in a logical and sequencial manner. He admonished the artisans to obviate the fear factor from themselves during the examination aspect of their assessment.

Dr Eduah also expressed his profound gratitude to the Chiefs of Accra for being part of the event.

At the vivacious and striking event, the Chairman for the occasion, who is the Paramount Chief of Nungua and Acting President of Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Prof King Odaifio Welentsi III, impelled the artisans to make proper use of the tools and further admonished them to be worthy ambassadors of GNPC. In addition, he expressed gratitude to GNPC for designing a project of this nature to impact the lives of Ghanaian youth in the region.

The Director General for Ghana TVET Service, Madam Mawusi Awity assured GNPC of her outfit's readiness to assist the National Oil Company in the future organization of such training and assessment programmes. She also encouraged the female artisans to veer more into areas that are male dominated as such moves will give them better recognition in society. She further advised parents to take advantage of the Free TVET Education to enrol their children.

The Deputy Education Minister and MP for Assin South, Hon Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, commended GNPC for designing this special project to touch and impact the lives of Ghanaians in the informal sector. He advised GNPC to collaborate more with other agencies in the organisation of such programmes.

The Deputy Minister of Energy who is also the Board Chairman of ECG, Hon Herbert Krapa thanked GNPC for this special initiative to empower the youth and commended the Chiefs for their commitment and dedication to the event. He urged the artisans to use the tools for their intended purposes in order to become financially independent in the foreseeable future.

The President of the National House of Chiefs who is also a board member of GNPC, Nana Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, charged the artisans to be worthy ambassadors of GNPC, and to use the tools for the right purpose.

On his part, the Board Chairman of GNPC, Hon Frederick Worsemao Armah Blay Esq remarked that the project has become plausible due to the deliberate policy of the board of directors of GNPC to use a significant portion of Ghana’s share of the oil revenue to undertake CSR.

CEO of Aseda Foundation, Ms Diana Adjei thanked GNPC for the continuous collaboration between the two body corporates which is geared towards impacting the lives and empowering the dreams of Ghanaian youth in the informal sector.

Some high-profile dignitaries who attended the event are; Paramount Chief of Teshie, Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfia III, Paramount Chief of Prampram, Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Board Member of GNPC, Mr Yaw Kyei, former MP for Asante Mampong, Hon Francis Addai Nimo, Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Hon Frank Nii Duah, MCE for Weija Gbawe, Hon Michael Dankwah, MCE for Kpone Katamanso, Hon Samuel Okoe Amanquah, Pastor Philip Pascal Asiedu, Head Pastor of PIWC, West Hills Assembly.