NYA, Tano South Municipal equip master craftsmen and apprentices with tools

The Tano South Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with the National Youth Authority, has presented tools and equipment to selected master craftsmen to train young people in various trades under the National Apprenticeship Programme.

The flagship initiative is designed to provide quality apprenticeship training that equips young people with industry relevant technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

The event brought together key stakeholders, including the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Abdul Rahman Salam, the Ahafo Regional Coordinator of the National Apprenticeship Programme, Mr Baba Sulemana, Mr Nicholas Sowah, traditional leaders, members of the clergy, local trader associations and members of the public.

In a welcome address, Mr Nicholas Sowah expressed appreciation to government for introducing the programme to empower the youth. He described the initiative as a valuable opportunity for young people to acquire practical skills and improve their livelihoods. According to him, the programme is aimed at bridging the skills gap and building a more employable workforce.

He urged master craftsmen to diligently train their apprentices by sharing their knowledge and experience to shape them into competent professionals. He also advised them to properly maintain the tools provided, noting that regular monitoring would be carried out to ensure the sustainability of the programme. He further announced that government plans to provide monthly stipends to apprentices to support their upkeep.

Mr Sowah encouraged beneficiaries to remain committed and dedicated to their chosen trades and expressed optimism about the programme’s success.

Mr Baba Sulemana, Ahafo Regional Coordinator of the National Apprenticeship Programme, thanked President John Dramani Mahama for his support for the initiative. He disclosed that the programme was launched on April 30, 2025 in Tamale, with a pilot phase targeting 10,000 apprentices nationwide, including beneficiaries in Tano South.

He revealed that more than 3,000 individuals from Tano South have applied either as apprentices or master trainers, and indicated that each applicant would be given the opportunity to learn a trade or train others. He also announced plans to expand the programme to train 100,000 people across the country next year, with Tano South expected to benefit significantly.

Mr Sulemana commended the Municipal Chief Executive for his leadership in implementing the programme in the municipality and encouraged interested masters and apprentices, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, to apply, stressing that they form part of the target group.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon Emmanuel Frimpong, praised President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as visionary leadership in initiating the National Apprenticeship Programme to empower young people. He said the programme demonstrates government’s commitment to creating opportunities for the youth to acquire practical skills and become self-reliant.

He thanked the master craftsmen for their dedication and urged apprentices to take the training seriously, respect their masters and apply themselves fully so they can one day become master trainers themselves.

Hon Frimpong also encouraged the youth to take advantage of other government initiatives, particularly in agriculture, by registering with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to access support such as fertilisers and seedlings.