Government has commenced a verification and life validation exercise for beneficiaries of the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP), to eliminate ghost names and ensure transparency in the payment of stipends.
Mr Michael Mampah, the Oti Regional Director of the National Apprenticeship Programme, said the exercise was necessary as government prepared to begin the payment of stipends to both master craftsmen and apprentices under the initiative.
He made the remarks during the presentation of Start-up kits to some beneficiaries in the Krachi East municipality.
He explained that the validation process would help confirm the identities of registered beneficiaries and ensure that only genuine participants benefit from the programme.
Mr Mampah said the exercise was being carried out across various workshops and training centres in the Oti Region, where officials of the programme were verifying the details of apprentices and their respective master craftsmen.
He noted that the process would also help prevent fictitious names from entering the system and ensure that public resources were directed to the rightful beneficiaries.
“The validation exercise is an important step in maintaining transparency and accountability in the implementation of the programme,” he said.
Mr Mampah added that government had also made arrangements to register the workplaces of participating master craftsmen with an insurance company to protect both the trainers and apprentices against unforeseen incidents.
He said the insurance coverage would provide an additional layer of security and assurance for beneficiaries as they undergo their skills training.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the government for the initiative, describing it as a major opportunity for young people to acquire employable skills.
Mr Richard Dunugbe, one of the beneficiaries, said the programme had given him hope of building a sustainable livelihood.
“This programme is a game-changer for me, with the skills I am acquiring, I believe I will be able to establish my own business and support my family,” he said.
Mr Safo Nketia, the Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) commended the government for implementing the programme but appealed for an increase in the number of beneficiaries to enable more young people to benefit.
He said although the programme was impactful, expanding the number of participants would help extend its benefits to more communities within the municipality.
Mr Nketia noted that the initiative aligned with government's efforts to promote technical and vocational skills development among the youth.
The National Apprenticeship Programme is a government initiative aimed at strengthening skills development, supporting technical and vocational education and training, and creating employment opportunities for young people across the country.
The ongoing validation exercise is expected to be completed soon after which the payment of stipends to beneficiaries will commence.
Beneficiaries have been urged to cooperate with officials of the programme to ensure a smooth and successful validation process.
GNA
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