This was to empower them economically to better their lives and contribute their quota towards the development of society.

The initiative organised by AG Care, the social intervention arm of the Assemblies of God (AG), Ghana trained the women in courses such as baking, pastry making, pedicure, manicure, nail fixing and basic entrepreneurial life skills.

The Executive Director of AG Care, Ernest Asigri, said the fact that women were predisposed to vulnerabilities required that they be protected and supported in order to reach their full potential.

He added that when girls due to poverty were unable to benefit from formal education, they should have the opportunity to be trained in vocational or occupational skills to make a decent income on their own. 

“These are people who are potentially vulnerable, and some are vulnerable and through this training, we have equipped and empowered them to move from vulnerability to vitality, so that they can live a meaningful life in the community,” Mr Asigri said.

SDGs

The AG Care Executive Director said the project aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) eight, which emphasised promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

“So what we are basically doing is to equip these young women with the skills to be able to live empowered lives. AG CARES has since 1999, when the Lifeline programme started, devoted our efforts to fighting poverty through relationships between girls between the ages of 13 and 18 who have undergone various forms of abuse,” he explained. 

Support

Mr Asigri recalled that the programme for decades had rescued, rehabilitated and reintegrated victims of trafficking, child marriage and abuse, and other forms of exploitation and empowered them to face the future with certainty.

However, he lamented that post-COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative had lost two of its three main sponsors, with the last one ending its support next year.

“That's the reality. After 25 years, this fund has indicated that they would end their programme with us at the end of 2025. That's posing a great challenge of how to sustain this beyond 2025,” he said.

Mr Asigri, therefore, called for support from organisations and individuals alike to enable the programme to continue helping vulnerable women across communities. 
He then charged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of their new skills.

“Each of you have faced challenges that many of us cannot imagine. Yet, you have persevered. You have learned valuable skills and more importantly, you have developed a sense of self-worth and empowerment that will serve you well in the years to come.

Go out there and be worthy ambassadors of your projects and of Jesus Christ our Lord,” he added.