A humanitarian group, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporation, based in the US, is putting up a Skill Training Institute at Suhum to equip the youth with technical and vocational skills.


The facility is a gesture by the group to honour the first president of Ghana, late Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who contributed so much to the group when he was a member.


This was made known when a six member delegation of the Fraternity from the US, led by its President, Mr Jimmy Hammock, paid a courtesy call on Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, the Eastern Regional Minister on Wednesday.


Outlining the purpose of their visit to the Regional Minister, Mr Hammock said the group’s basic aim was to learn skills and to in turn share those skills acquired with the world, stressing that, “Dr Nkrumah was part of us and he never stopped thinking about the welfare of people.”


“We, therefore, deem it a befitting tribute to come to Ghana to honour him by putting up the Skill Training Institute in his name, and we desire to make the school attain international recognition,” he said.


Mr Hammock acknowledged that the project, which is almost completed, is the first of its kind being undertaken by the Fraternity outside the US and that it indicated the absolute respect they were offering to Dr Nkrumah for his dedication to the Fraternity and to humanity.


The President added that, as part of their efforts to sustain the institute, plans are far advanced to build hostels, dormitories and teachers’ bungalows to augment the successful running of the school.


“We have also made arrangements for volunteers, who are prepared to come and assist in the teaching and training of the students when the institute starts operating,” he added.


Ms Ntoso expressed gratitude to the group for choosing to site the project in her region and pledged to ensure that the project is sustained to benefit the youth of the region and the nation as a whole.


She said her outfit would help expand the facility to attract beneficiaries from all parts of the country.


The Regional Minister, on behalf of President John Mahama, thanked the team for honouring Dr Nkrumah and expressed the hope that the facility would be the first of many of such projects in the country “and not the last.”


Mr Samuel Fleischer Kwabi, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Suhum Municipal Assembly, who accompanied the delegation to the Regional Minister, assured to negotiate with most organizations in the country to contribute in sustaining the facility.


He announced that his Assembly had made available 14 extra acres of land, near the institute, to be used for an industrial village, in addition to the 6 acres, given for the establishment of the Vocational and Technical Training Institute.


The team presented a plaque and a Fraternity member jacket to President Mahama, through the Regional Minster, to be conserved at the Kwame Nkrumah Museum in Accra.