Sekondi, Feb. 7, GNA - Sixty-two unemployed youths selected from the Shama Ahanta East Metropolis, who have completed a skills training programme under the Social Investment Fund (SIF), were on Friday presented with working tools at a ceremony at Sekondi. The items including hairdressing, carpentry, masonry, welding and fabrication, photography and batik tie and dye tools were valued at 17 million cedis.

Mrs Elisabeth Abena Nkrumah, Western Regional Officer of the SIF said the beneficiaries were selected from 115 applicants, and added that, the government, through the Opportunities Industrialisation Centre (OIC) was sponsoring their training at a total cost of 87.7 million cedis. Mrs Nkrumah advised them to take advantage of the opportunity to ensure that the government's aim of equipping and developing the skills of the youth and unemployed became meaningful.

She said so far the SIF had disbursed a total of 6.6 billion cedis on various projects in six districts of the region.

Mrs Nkrumah announced that under the SIF, the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly (SAEMA) would benefit from eight educational projects, two water projects, a health rehabilitation centre and the skills training programme.

Mr. Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, Metropolitan Chief Executive expressed his appreciation to the SIF for selecting the beneficiaries from the metropolitan area and pledged his support to make the programme a success.

He charged the beneficiaries to eschew absenteeism, adding that, the assembly would monitor their performance closely at their respective training centres.

Master Henry Appiah, a beneficiary and spokesman for the group thanked the SIF and the government for the assistance and pledged their determination to complete the training and contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country.