Over 190 young men and women in the East Akyem Municipality were on Thursday presented with assorted equipment to enable them start their own businesses after undergoing apprenticeship training in various vocational trades.
They received tricycles, industrial electric sewing machines and manual sewing machines, hairdryers and salon kits, catering equipment, such as gas cookers and utensils, mobile phone repair machines among others under the Ghana Youth Entrepreneurial Development Authority (GYEDA) and the Local Enterprise and Skills Development Programme (LESDEP).
Presenting the items, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Victor Smith, said the gesture was government’s commitment to reduce unemployment and urged people not to read politics into government policies but rather embrace them for their benefits.
He told the people that as the elections were approaching many politicians would approach them to solicit their votes and would promise them "heaven on earth" and shower gifts unto them.
Mr Smith advised them to look out for people who would come with genuine and realistic programs that would empower them for the future.
The Regional Minister who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Abuakwa North, advised the beneficiaries not to allow anyone to deceive them that the items received were to motivate them to vote for the NDC but should rather look at their interest and use them as working tools to improve upon their living conditions.
Madam Fatahiya Zulka, the Regional Coordinator of the LESDEP, said 51 out of the beneficiaries were under LESDEP and therefore would be required to pay for the items without interest.
She expressed her readiness to provide a container shop for those beneficiaries who had a genuine site plan to facilitate their business.
The Tafohene, Osabarima Adusei Peasah, who chaired the ceremony, said most of the beneficiaries were young men and women who were loitering about in the town without any source of livelihood therefore it was a good intervention that would improve their conditions.
He said youth employment was very crucial in any development venture and urged the beneficiaries to work hard and take good care of the equipment.