The second cohort of the “Cash for Work (CfW) initiative”, a scheme under the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project has successfully graduated at Hotopo, a community in the Ahanta West Municipal Assembly (AWMA) of the Western Region.
The training consisted of fourteen (14) sessions with the 78 beneficiaries trained on how to identify green opportunities in their communities, set goals towards a green job, and understand what it took to be employed or be an entrepreneur in the green sector.
Other skills that were imparted to the beneficiaries included, how to manage their finances, communicate effectively, deal with conflicts, critically solve and avoid problems, and how to work together effectively to achieve their goals.
Participants also received one-on-one coaching to guide them to identify green businesses and adopt a healthy and consistent habit of saving, and further educated on the avenues available to seek funding for their business.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Mr Bernard Amoako, Programs Director, SOS CV for Kumasi Location said the second cycle of the project began with a community sensitization exercise which engaged the people of Hotopo and informed them about the project while.
He added that the community members were also introduced to the SOS Children’s Village (SOS CV) and educated them on the role it plays in the project.
He mentioned that participants were divided into four (4) cohorts and assigned a time and location for their respective training to enhance training and learning.
Mr Amoako was grateful to the partners for their support at every stage of the process without which the cycle would not have been successful.
He further encouraged the beneficiaries to be at the forefront of the green revolution in the country and use the skills they have acquired through the training to transform their lives and positively impact the lives of others in the community.
Mr Alexander Mar Kekula, National Director of SOS Children’s Village described the GrEEn Project as a timely intervention that addresses the country’s environmental challenges.
The Project, he noted was being implemented at a crucial time when all stakeholders who were mindful of the environment and sustenance of the world were promoting climate-resilient and environmentally friendly innovations.
He indicated that the mandate of the SOS Children’s Village was to build strong families for children, help children and the youth to shape their future and contribute their quota to the development of their communities.
Mr John Agyare, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Ahanta West Municipality (AWMA) announced that the project has four result areas which are being handled by partners of the Assembly in development.
The result of area one, he said, is to ensure that the local economies were stimulated and short-term opportunities were created for women, the youth, and returning migrants in particular through providing climate-resilient infrastructure such as the Hotopo Market which is under construction.
The result area two also focuses on providing life skills development support for Cash for Work beneficiaries with the support of talented facilitators from the SOS CV – Ghana.
He expressed the hope that the experiences gathered by the beneficiaries will be nurtured for the good of the Hotopo community and congratulated the beneficiaries.
Madam Belinda Gyantua, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Representative for the GrEEn Project implored the members of the community to own the project to sustain it since it was meant for them.
She commended them for their support and comportment and further commended the beneficiaries for availing themselves and the determination to complete the training.
She also urged them to utilize the skills given to them to improve their lives and help their families.
