More than 1200 traditional caterers from 32 districts have been trained under the Council for Technical Vocational Education Training (COTVET) programme, funded by Skills Development Fund (SDF) to improve their productivity.

They were trained at separate workshops in the Volta, Eastern Western, Brong Ahafo, Central and Greater Accra regions as part as the micro, small and medium enterprises programme.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Gabriel Kofi Ayiglo, an investment consultant at the Elitrust Finecon Limited, said the caterers were equipped with entrepreneurial skills to use the correct practices and attitudes to grow their businesses.

Mr Ayiglo observed: They lacked proper planning skills, good record keeping, good understanding of contracts, efficiency in essential entrepreneurial capabilities, and knowledge of the restaurant production flow.

He also mentioned food handling, customer retention, employees’ health and safety management, financial management and hygiene as other areas of coverage. Mr Ayiglo said the programme was, therefore, put together to tailor to their needs.

The Investment Consultant said the traditional caterers were taken through series of thrilling games and practical exercises that would helped them to understand and embrace critical business issues such as creativity, idea generation and understanding the business environment.

They were also equipped with strategies for accessing new and untapped markets, business organisation, branding, product costing and pricing as well as fire safety techniques, he stressed.

Mr Ayiglo said the programme was geared towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) which promotes women empowerment and commended COTVET and SDF for the initiative.

Madam Grace Ofosu, National-Vice Chairperson of the Ghana Traditional Caterers Association, also expressed gratitude to COTVET and SDF for the funding support and advised the participants to put the skills acquired to practice.

Two chop-bar operators and beneficiaries of the programme, Peace Kakraba and Imah Sofuah, of Ashaiman told the GNA that, several mistakes they were making, which led to the near collapse of their businesses had been realized.

Now we know that we have to costa plate of Fufu before we quote the price, Ms Kakraba explain