Goaso (B/A), Aug. 7, GNA - Government is to provide 1.3 trillion cedis for youth training, entrepreneurial skills development and as start up capital for trainees in the country.

Nana Kwadwo Kwakye, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, who announced this at the launch of the Asunafo South District Youth Apprenticeship Programme at Kukuom, said the money would soon be disbursed to the districts, municipal and metropolitan assemblies. He explained that it was in the interest of all Ghanaians that "our strong, energetic and talented youth would contribute their quota to the development of the nation".

The Deputy Minister advised the youth not to wait for government before doing something, saying they could start on their own while waiting to take advantage of the various initiatives of the government. Nana Kwakye expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the master craftsmen who had agreed to train the youth and equip them with skills to help them earn a decent living.

Mr George Yaw Boakye, District Chief Executive, said the programme, which was under the sponsorship of the SINAPI ABA Trust and the District Assembly, was expected to train 150 youth in the District at the cost of 650 million cedis.

He said the programme was aimed at providing employable skills for the youth to empower them to be self-supporting.

"As part of its social responsibility, the Ahafo Community Bank is also sponsoring additional three persons at the cost of 10 million cedis and the Assembly intends to make this programme an annual affair", the DCE added.

He said the investment was meant to develop the human resource capacity base of the District, create employment and reduce youth migration to urban centres in search of non-existent jobs. Mr Boakye appealed to the youth to lead decent lives and guard against HIV/AIDS by abstaining from pre-marital sex.

Mr Tony Fosu, Chief Executive Officer of SINAPI ABA Trust, explained that the main business of the Trust as an NGO was to extend credit facilities and loans exclusively to micro-enterprises with the view of supporting the development of poor and deprived enterprises, as a way of alleviating poverty in the country.

He said plans were underway to make available 140 million cedis in contribution to train and equip 30 additional youth in the District. The Chief Executive Officer expressed the hope that all stakeholders would remain committed to the ideals of the programme to help make it a success.

Mr Fosu advised the young apprentices to re-orientate their mindsets so as to better appreciate the programme. He urged parents and guardians to be supportive to their children and wards in the programme.