Apremdo(WR), July 20, GNA - Lieutenant Colonel Francis Vib San-Ziri, Commanding Officer of Second Battalion of Infantry has advised beneficiaries of women skills training programmes to utilise them to earn additional income to support their families. He said such programmes "add value" to their personality and make them less dependent on their husbands adding; "over dependence on your husbands often resulted in endless quarrels leading to divorce and broken homes."

Lt-Col. San-Ziri gave the advice when addressing the closing session of a three-month entrepreneurship and productivity-training programme for selected wives of personnel of the infantry at Apremdo barracks near Takoradi.

It was organised by authorities of the Unit in collaboration with GHACOE Women's Ministry, a Christian non-governmental organisation. The 39 women were trained in decoration, confectionary, cosmetics, soap and pomade production, batik tie and dye and home management. Lt-Col. San-Ziri said they should regard their training as a challenge to reduce poverty and improve living standards of their families and advised them to establish their own businesses by forming partnerships to generate the required capital.

He said authorities of the Unit would monitor activities of the beneficiaries to ensure that the resources for the training was well utilised and commended the ministry for its support.

Mrs Angela Adams, a member of GHACOE and resource person said the ministry would continue to combine skills training and evangelism for groups and individuals to reduce poverty and empower women in the society. Mrs Gifty Quansah, Western Regional President of GHACOE and Lt-Col. San-Ziri presented certificates to the participants and opened an exhibition. 20 July 07