Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman in Ghana, Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has partnered a UK based Charity Organization-Wood World Missions to provide technical and Vocational training for the youth in the constituency.
He announced that beginning next academic year, first batch of eight (8) beneficiaries will be enrolled in Wood World Missions Technical and Vocational Institute established by the charity organization at Mateheko community, a suburb of Akosombo.
According to the Ghanaian lawmaker, technical, Vocational training and Education (TVET) is the most realistic way to fix the overwhelming high unemployment rate in the country.
He acknowledged that although some interventions are being made by government to revamp TVET education, more commitment is required.
“TVET is the hope of this country. If we truly want to reduce unemployment and create jobs for our people then we must take Technical and Vocational education to a different level .We must show even more commitment to this aspect of our education because those who are equipped with these skills will not be looking forward for somebody to employ them but they will employ themselves and employ others reducing unemployment in this country,” Thomas Ampem Nyarko stated.
The MP said this on July 22,2023 during a brief ceremony to commission Wood World Missions Technical and Vocational Institute built at Akosombo -Mateheko community by Wood World Missions, a charity wing of Power Center Church in the United Kingdom (UK).
He said the vision of the school aligns with his vision for the youth in the constituency which gave birth to the “Thomas Ampem Nyarko Skill Development and Youth Empowerment Program (TANSDYEP)” established in 2017 since becoming MP to provide skills training and startups for the youth particularly those from vulnerable homes.
Hon.Thomas Ampem Nyarko therefore pledged his commitment to support every effort to create access to TVET to equip the youth with the requisite competency based skill sets for the industrial job market.
He commended Founders of Wood World Missions Archbishop William Wood and wife Archbishop Mrs .Mercy Wood for establishing the school in the constituency with very affordable fee structure.
The MP made a financial pledge of Ghc10,000 equivalent to £673 to support the school.
On her part, Co-founder of Wood World Missions and Power Center Church Archbishop Mrs. Mercy Wood, a Ghanaian, said she was inspired to construct more schools for the poor after she was denied admission into vocational school decades ago in Ghana which nearly impaired her life.
She explained that the Wood World Missions now has two schools in Ghana, has similar schools in Uganda, Malawi (8) schools, Congo, Nigeria, South Africa, and other countries to help the poor and vulnerable have access to quality education and skills training.
Archbishop Mrs.Mercy Wood acknowledged support of donors who made the project come into reality.
She however appealed that the institution needs equipment such as industrial machines and electrical tools for practical training.
Headmaster of Akosombo Academy comparising the Technical and Vocational Institute, and Basic School Cornilius Ganah appealed to government to extend support to the school through the Ghana Skills Development Fund to enable the institution train more youth in various Technical and vocational skills.
Wood World Missions Technical and vocational Institute is currently being considered to be accredited at TVET center for the entire Asuogyaman District to end students traveling to Koforidua for their certification examination.
The construction of the Vocational and Technical Institute at Akosombo attracted many celebrities in UK who were supporting the project to visit the area.
They included Stephanie Victoria Allen, better known by her stage name Stefflon Don, a British rapper, singer, and songwriter, alongside 2019 BET International Global Good Award winner Chakabars Clarke and Fuse ODG .
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah