Panfokrom (C/R), Sept. 1, GNA - The Community Development Vocational Institute, formerly Panfokrom Women's Training Institute, has introduced a programme to equip school drop-outs and those who could not go to senior high schools with employable skills within eight weeks.

The programme, which is being supported by members of parliament for Gomoa East and Gomoa West, Agona East and Agona West and Effutu constituencies and District and Municipal Chief Executives, is to reduce unemployment in the four constituencies.

Addressing a meeting at Panfokrom Madam Rebecca Ampah-Korsah, the Headmistress of the institute, said because the poverty level in the institute's catchments area was so high, parents found it difficult to sponsor their children for a long-term courses.

She said children were left without skills or no qualification to enable them to enter the job market.

Mad Ampah-Korsah said the institute, which was established in 1952, is under utilised because of poverty and to make it more beneficial to the community it decided to introduce the short term course.

She said the authorities had selected catering, fashion and hair dressing as courses which could be handled within eight weeks.

WO.I Richard Kojo Annan (Rtd), Chairman of the Board of Governors, appealed to the government and organisations to equip the institute with tools to enable it to introduce courses such as carpentry and joinery for more students to benefit from the short-term courses.

He said the name of the institution was changed from Panfokrom Women's Training Institute to Community Development vocational Institute to allow males to be admitted.

"We therefore need equipment to introduce males-related courses" WO I Annan said.

Mr Kow Anyanful, a former District Chief Executive for Gomoa, appealed to political parties to enrol their foot soldiers who did not have employable skills in the school to pursue the short term course.

Nana Duku X, Mankrado of Gomoa Adzintem and Headmaster of Mozano Senior High School, appealed to the government and donor agencies to assist beneficiaries of the course with start-up capitals and tools to enable them to start-their own businesses.

Mr Ekow Okyere Panyin Eduamoah, MP for Gomoa East commended the school's authorities for introducing the course which would save MPs from paying fees for long-term courses.