Executive Director of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation, Dominic Eduah has expressed dismay over trend of dropout rates among beneficiary artisans of the foundation’s vocational training and resource program as a result of reluctance to undergo certification exams administered by the National Vocational and Technical Institute (NVTI).
Eduah lamented, “NVTI exams are where we have challenges. Many register to benefit from the program but as soon as they hear about exams, half exit from the program.”
He further highlighted that despite efforts to persuade participants, sometimes a staggering 60% still opt out in certain regions, often citing various excuses.
Emphasizing the simplicity of the exams, Eduah appealed to community leaders, stating, “I am appealing to Nananom to tell the people that the exams is a very simple exercise to provide them with an NVTI certificate to enable them advance in their career.”
Dominic Eduah said this in Koforidua when GNPC foundation held graduation ceremony for 666 artisans from various districts in Eastern Region who have benefitted from the Foundation’s vocational training and resource programme carried out in collaboration with the ASEDA Foundation, a community-based organization
The trade areas included steel bending, interior decoration, exterior decoration, spraying, bead making, make-up, motor vehicle electricals, motor vehicle mechanics, dress making, hairdressing, tailoring, arc welding, gas welding, shoe making, bakery, cookery, masonry, pastry, carpentry, tiling, general electricals, plumbing, aluminium fabrication, among others.
Dominic Eduah said,Since its inception in 2018, the GNPC Foundation has awarded 7,800 academic scholarships, including 340 foreign scholarships.
He said the Foundation’s achievement in infrastructure development is evident across all 16 regions of Ghana.
Opoku Ahweneeh Danquah, CEO of GNPC, underscored the Foundation’s mandate to ensure the equitable distribution of oil revenues for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
He stated, “this skilled artisans project is to make sure that the people in the rural areas who do not have access to other forms of education can also have the means of living for them and their family.”
Freddy Blay, Board Chairman of GNPC, reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to community development, noting, “We are doing it in all the regions and it will touch many more Ghanaians.”
The beneficiaries were equipped with startup tools including but not limited to Sewing Machines, Industrial Machines, Stand Dryers, Local Ovens, Cylinders, Welding Machines, Cutting Machines, Polishing Machines, Tilers Cutting Machines, Aluminium Cutting Machines, Spraying Machines, Acetylene and Oxygen Cylinders, Diagnostic Machines, Gas Stoves, Local Oven Cylinders, Bench Grinders, Metal Cutting Machines, hacksaw Frame Complete among others.
Some of the beneficiaries who graduated expressed appreciation to the GNPC foundation for the training urging other applicants not to be scared of the NVTI exams since it is a test of the skills acquired.
Present at the Ceremony were Akwamumanhene, Odeneho Kwarfo Akoto III, Okuapenhene Oseadeyo Kwasi Akuffo III , New Juaben Omanhene Daasebre Kwaku Boateng II, Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong, Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, representative from NVTI.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
