The Sunyani Technical University (STU) says it is ready to partner the Sunyani Youth Development Association (SYDA) to develop the skills of the youth in the area.
The Vice-Chancellor of STU, Prof. Ing Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, said this in a speech read for him at this year’s celebration of the International Youth Day in Sunyani. He said the skills training would focus on areas such as entrepreneurial development.
The theme for the occasion was “Transforming Food Systems: Youth innovation for Human Planetary Health.”
The Vice-Chancellor, whose speech was delivered for him by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Dickson Kyere-Duah, further said the university’s Department of Agriculture is also ready to provide technical assistance to the association or individuals who intend to venture into agriculture.
Commendation
Prof. Ing. Adinkrah-Appiah commended the association for its intervention in through the ‘Integrated Sewing Project’, and encouraged its members to take advantage of the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs programme to venture into large-scale farming.
He noted that, considering the ever-increasing population of the world, there is the urgent need to ensure a corresponding increase in food production in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner.
The president of the Sunyani Youth Development Association, Mr Atta Akoto Snr, disclosed that the association had set up Youth Empowerment Training Centre to provide opportunities to the youth to acquire employable skills and earn a decent living.
“Through the support of the Australian High Commission, we have been able to fully activate our Integrated Sewing Project. We have the machines and infrastructure to implement the project. Forty people have been enrolled,” he said.
“In working towards the attainment of our project, we are working towards bag production as well. We pray all gathered here to patronize our services and products in the areas of beautiful clothing designs, fugu fabrics, solar products and services, bead designs and craft, hair dressing, wig caps and welding services as a means of providing livelihood for our master craftsmen volunteers who have dedicated themselves to train the youths,” he added.
