GNPC Foundation Presents Start-Up Tools To 389 Artisans In Ashanti Region

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation Foundation on behalf of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has held a graduation ceremony for 389 artisans in the Ashanti Region.

Dubbed the GNPC Foundation – Aseda Foundation Skilled Artisans Project, 389 out of 500 artisans passed the NVTI Exams and were presented with working tools to enable them commence a trade.

Speaking at the graduation, the Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, Dr. Dominic Kwesi Eduah reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to impact the lives of at least 5 million Ghanaians.

This, he explained, is being done through the provision of various interventions as part of it’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

‘Our target next year is to reach and touch about 5 million lives next year, Dr Eduah assured.

Dr. Eduah explained that the GNPC Foundation provides its interventions under three main pillars, – education and training, economic empowerment as well as environment and social amenities.

To this end, he listed some of the trade areas for the 389 artisans as Steel Bending, Interior and Event Decorations, Spraying, Gas Welding, Masonry, Plumbing and Hairdressing.

The rest were Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Pastry, Aluminum Fabrication, Motor Vehicle Electricals, Carpentery, Tiling, Bakery, Tailoring, Shoe Making, Make-Up, Plumbing and Bakery.

Dr. Eduah noted that their target was to train 500 artisans but when the training reached the exams stage, some exited on their own which brought the total number to 389.

He urged potential graduands not to sneak out of the training when it gets to the exam stage.

‘Let me use this opportunity to tell parents to advise their wards to know that the exams is designed by NVTI and it allows them to be scored on what they can do as artisans, he stressed.

Dr. Eduah posited that the Foundation is aimed at adding value to make them skillful at the job market saying that when someone is offering a job, he or she looks at your certificate.

He anticipated that next year by this time the Foundation would have increased the number of the artisans with a commiserating number of start-up kits.

Dr. Eduah revealed that the Ashanti region has benefited from several development projects adding that GNPC has embarked on 123 projects in the region alone.

The 389 artisans were provided with tools that included and not limited to Sewing and Industrial Machines, Stand Dryers, Local Ovens, Cylinders, Welding and Cutting Machines, Tilers Cutting Machines, and Aluminum Cutting Machines.

The rest of the tools were Acetylene and Oxygen Cylinders, Diagnostic Machines, Gas Stoves, Local Oven Cylinders, Bench Grinders, Metal Cutting Machines and Hacksaw Frame Complete.