Krofu (CR), Sept. 9, GNA - Nana Araba Otua II, Omanhemaa of the Mankessim Traditional Area, has appealed to the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to involve only small scale manufacturers whose products have been tested and certified by the Ghana Standard Board (GSB) in their skills training programmes. She made the appeal at the closing of a five-day skills-training workshop organised by the Association of Rural and Environmental Development (ARED) a non-governmental organisation to equip 26 youth selected from 13 communities in which ARED operates with vocational skills to make them self-dependent.

Nana Otua promised to help the group to get their products tested and certified by the GSB.

She noted with concern that some resource personnel for skills training programmes under the Ghana Poverty Strategy (GRS), had not had their products certified by the GSB and that could not help the trainees to produce marketable products.

This, she said had made those they had trained unable to demonstrate their skills in a way as to produce marketable products.

They were trained in soap, powder and various kinds of pomade making, and were provided with the materials to enable them to establish themselves.

Mr Robert Koomson, Executive Director of ARED, said his organisation was also engaged in HIV/AIDS sensitisation for about three years now with support from the Ghana AIDS Commission and the Mantseman District Assembly but had now decided to go beyond the education programme to impart skills to the youth.

Mr Koomson said the organisation had decided to tackle poverty, which was the driving force behind promiscuity, and added that if the women were able to support themselves they would not rely on men who often took advantage to abuse them sexually.

Pastor Robert Deku, an entrepreneur was the sole resource person at the workshop. 09 Sept. 05