A day's stakeholders' sensitisation workshop on government's policy to supply free school uniforms, to some districts has ended at Swedru in the Agona West Municipality of the Central
Region.
It was organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and attended by district directors of education, district chief executives, members of parliament and dressmakers from eight districts in the Central and Western regions.
The beneficiary districts are; Nzema East Municipal Assembly, in the Western Region, Agona, Effutu, Awutu, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Apam,
Mfantseman and Assin North in the Central Region.
Addressing the participants, Dr Nii Noi Thompson, ILO Project expert on Local Economic Development said the policy was to provide opportunity for micro, small and medium enterprises in the garment and textile industry, to improve their financial and production capacities.
He noted that the project would facilitate jobs and wealth creation and reduce poverty among Ghanaians.
Dr Thompson said the initiative would also boost the production of local industries.
He said ILO had started capacity training to members of the Tailors and Dressmakers Association in all the eight districts, which would be replicated in other areas.
Mr Kofi Nuamah, Project Manager at the Presidential Special Initiative
on Garment and Textiles, urged members of the association to reposition themselves to benefit from the free school uniform policy.
He said government was looking for a competent Ghanaian company to produce poly cotton for the production of free school uniforms.
Rev. Jonathan Akwanda, President of the association said the free school uniform policy had given the needed opportunity for members to enhance their financial fortunes.
He observed that the policy is good social intervention meant to ease the plight of vulnerable children in deprived communities.