Wa, May 1, GNA - Tools For Self-Reliance (TFSR), a United Kingdom-based charity, has through the Centre for Development of People (CEDEP) assisted 300 artisans in the Upper West Region with working tools to enable them to improve their lives and the communities in which they live and work.

Artisans of various trades who have benefited from the programme include, blacksmiths, carpentry and joinery, masonry, bicycle repairers, shoe repairers, seamstress and motor mechanics.

Mr. John Yelivielbayire, Programme Manager of the Upper West Regional branch of CEDEP said this when he presented tools to the first batch of 72 artisans out of 130 earmarked for support in the region this year.

He said the programme had registered significant success since its inception in 1998.

According to him, during their monitoring visits, beneficiaries had reported increase in the quality of services and training to artisans and increase in income levels leading to their ability to pay for services, including school fees and health care.

Mr. Yelivielbayire appealed to the district assemblies to make it possible for the artisans to access some of the credit schemes that existed in the assemblies.

Mr. Godfrey Bayon Tangu, Wa Municipal Chief Executive urged the beneficiaries not to collect the tools and hire them out or abandon them to engage in unprofitable ventures.

He appealed to them to endeavour to engage apprentices so that the support they had, could have a multiplying effect in their communities. The beneficiaries thanked TFSR and CEDEP for their assistance and promised to put them to good use since most of them were finding it difficult to get capital to purchase the tools for their trades. 01 May 04