By Bernice Bessey
Known for her generosity, especially towards the needy, the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has donated skills training tools and food items to the Pentecost Vocational and Technical Centre. The equipment, which includes hand sewing machines, hair dryers, industrial over-lock machines, and lap tops among others, forms part of the Lordina Foundation’s vision to help the less-privileged acquire entrepreneurial skills.
Presenting the items to the institute at Gbawe last week, the First Lady said vocational and technical skills training are imperative to national development, and, therefore, must be encouraged among the youth. She noted that skills acquisition is the roadmap for youth employment and economic development, adding, “This spells the reason why government is in the process of turning polytechnics into technical universities to help restore faith in technical and vocational qualification.”
The First Lady urged the students to adapt modern trends, as industries are undergoing continuous changes in technology. Also, an aspiring Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Obuobia Darko Poku, also supported the institute with five streetlights and 100 bags of cement for the completion of the girls’ dormitory.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Ga South, Jerry Akwei Thompson, said though the institute belongs to the Church of Pentecost, the government will continue to partner the church to train more of the less-privileged. The Principal of the institute, Mrs. Rosaline Quarcoopome, thanked the First Lady for the gesture, and pleaded with other organisations to do same.
The Principal took opportunity of the occasion to call on the First lady to assist the institute with a bus which will convey students to and from the school. She further pleaded with the First Lady to help complete the roofing of the hostel for the institute. Mrs. Quarcoopome also urged parents and guardians not to look down on skills training as a job for those who are not intelligent.