78 women graduate from Panfokrom Women Institute

Gomoa Panfokrom (C/R), July 10, GNA - The Gomoa Panfokrom Women's Training Institute on Saturday held its 49th Graduation, Speech and Prize-giving Day at Gomoa Panfokrom, where 60 women graduated after a three-year course in vocational training.

Eighteen others, who completed a four-year City and Guilds courses also graduated and were all presented with certificates. The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Charles Bintin, who was the guest speaker, was hopeful that the graduates would create their own enterprises in the private sector, instead of wishing to join the government establishments.

He suggested to the management of the institution that, in view of the dynamism of the labour market, "you develop tailor-made and demand driven training courses to satisfy the changing labour market". Mr Bintim hoped that the institution would continue to train more women and girls to bridge the gender gap in employment of the country. While commending the award winners for their hard work, the Minister urged them not to rest on their oars or become complacent, but should consider the sky as their limit.

The Minister urged the students to take their studies seriously and always apply themselves diligently to both curricular and extra-curricular activities, adding, it was in this way that they would be building a very bright future for themselves and their communities. The Minister, who had earlier been taken round the institute expressed concern about the numerous problems facing the institute, despite its good work, gave the assurance that they would do their best to assist in solving some of them.

The Headmistress of the institute, Mrs. Rebecca Abaka-Korsah in her annual report said that the institute offers courses including Catering, Dressmaking, Hairdressing, House Management, Needlework and Craft, English language, Childcare and Computer Studies.

She said the institute, had 100 per cent in the National Vocational Training Institutes (NVTI) Examination Grade Two, 98 per cent in Grade One and 100 per cent with some distinctions in the City and Guilds. Mrs. Abaka-Korsah said that the institute was facing a number of problems and mentioned some of them as lack of staff and students accommodations, lack of vehicles.

According to her, most of the building constructed during its establishment in 1957 have never seen any repairs and are in a very bad situation and appealed to NGOs and the government to come to the aid of the school to avoid any disaster.

She said that the PTA has done a lot to help the school, adding that, the present problems are beyond their reach. The District Chief Executive for Gomoa, Madam Joyce Aidoo commended the management of the institute for their hard work and promised the assembly's continued support to the institute.

Mr Paul Tawiah on behalf of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Accra, presented assorted items including four sewing machines and books, costing about 30 million cedis to in the institute. Mrs. Abaka-Korsah received the items and thanked the church for their kind gesture and appealed to others to emulate the example of the church.

Prizes awards were given to deserving students, teaching and non-teaching staff with Miss Isabella Adu-Bonhen, a final year student receiving the overall best student award.