Techiman (B/A) March 9, GNA- A workshop has been held at Techiman in Brong Ahafo to sensitize the unemployed in snail and grass cutter rearing as part of government's efforts to create employment.

The Centre for Biodiversity Utilization Development (CBUD) of the Institute for Renewable Natural Resources of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) organized the workshop in conjunction with the Techiman Municipal Assembly.

It aimed at introducing the unemployed in Techiman to another area for self-employment with the view to reducing poverty among them. Dr. Owusu Manu, a resource person, said the workshop promised government support for any individual who would engage in snail and grass cutter farming.

He said the best thing the government could do to reduce poverty among the youth is to provide them with the skills and resources to be on their own.

He called on the youth in the district who wrote their names during the 2001 registration of the unemployed, to register for the training exercise that would take place at Techiman from March 9 to 12. Mr. Ofori Oppong, Communication Information and Training Officer of CBUD said the Ministry of Manpower Development and Employment after the registration of the unemployed, realized the need for the programme to create an avenue for self-employment for those registered. The Ministry therefore instituted the Skills, Training and Employment Programme (STEP) to train the youth in many vocations in the Agriculture sector, he said.

Mr. Oppong added that snail and grass cutter rearing was a segment of the programme and did not demand any qualification in order to receive practical training.

Earlier in a welcoming address, Mr. Isaac Osei Antwi, Techiman Municipal Chief Executive, commended the Government for its efforts in providing the youth with employment through such training programmes.