75 youth trained in bamboo processing

Seventy-five youth have undergone a six-month intensive training in handicraft and bamboo processing. The youth were taken through bamboo cultivation, harvesting, management, treatment, colouring and weaving.

They also received training in the production of various items such as table mats, bags, pen holders, slippers, jewellery, candle holders, mats and hand fans using bamboo.

The training was jointly funded by the Social Development Fund (SDF), the Centre for Development Partnerships (CDP) and the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET). 

Reason for training 

Speaking at the graduation of the students, the Chief Executive Officer of the CDP, Mrs Jennifer Brock, said she was inspired to train the youth in bamboo handicraft and processing because the product had been ignored in spite of its numerous benefits.

According to her, the product could serve as a source of employment and generate a lot of income, especially to the teeming youth across the country who were not engaged in any meaningful jobs.

Mrs Brock indicated that the centre had established branches all over the country and would equip the youth with the needed skills and capacities to transform their lives, communities and the country at large.

She said bamboo was a renewable natural resource and therefore easy to replenish.

A representative of the Business Unit of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA), Mr Mohammed Pelpuo, said the handicraft industry in Ghana was very paramount to the development of the national economy.

He added that many had not yet come to the realisation of the benefits of bamboo, and said there was the need for intense public education regarding its relevance.

He cited countries such as China which had made a lot of gains from using the bamboo and added, “When we make good use of bamboo as a country like China has done, it will help boost our economy.”

Advice to graduates 

The Paramount Chief of Breman Asikuma, Odeofo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, advised the youth to make a change in the communities in which they would be dispatched to operate.

According to him, most of the beneficiaries came from deprived communities, and tasked them to impart the same knowledge they had acquired to others.