The Ernest Egyir Foundation has inducted the first cohort of 45 beneficiaries into its Saltpond Skills Apprenticeship Project. Beneficiaries are to receive skills training in tailoring, hairdressing and beauty, catering, computer literacy, carpentry and joinery, bricklaying and construction, plumbing, electrical wiring and fittings, and others.
The inaugural ceremony was held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Saltpond in the Central Region of Ghana. According to founder and CEO of the foundation Ernest De-Graft Egyir, the foundation is embarking on this mission to build the capacity of school drop-outs and needy young people, thereby helping them to become financially independent and resilient.
Further, Mr. Egyir – who is a native of Saltpond – says the foundation is his way of giving back to society and showing gratitude to God for His grace and goodness.
The event was graced by significant indigenes from Saltpond: including Coucil of State-member Prof. Ato Essuman, who will serve as chairman of the occasion; and Mfantsiman MP Hon. Ophelia Hayford as special guest of honour. Also in attendance were Mfantsiman MCE Hon. Ike Enu; Saltpond and Nkusukum Twafohene Nana Gyan Akwanda VII; and Saltpond Lower Town Chief Nana Baah VII as guests of honour.
Reiterating the historical role of Saltpond in the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention and Convention People’s Party, Mr. Egyir appealed to President Akufo-Addo to make the town the epicentre of Founders’ Day celebrations in Ghana. He called on the member of parliament, municipal chief executive and other stakeholders to work together to make this possible.
Ernest Egyir with beneficiaries of the Saltpond Skills Apprenticeship Project
Professor Essuman commended Mr. Egyir for his efforts, urging the youth to follow his example. Krontihene of Nkusukum Traditional Area, Nana Beenyie VIII, urged beneficiaries and youth of the area to adopt the right attitude in order to be successful in life. Also speaking at the event, the MCE for Mfantseman Municipality, Ike Enu, urged the beneficiaries not to take this opportunity for granted but apply themselves diligently to acquire the envisioned skills.
On her part, the Hon. Ophelia Hayford pledged her support for any initiative – including the Egyir Foundation programme – that advances development of the area. She donated five sewing-machines, five hairdryers and an undisclosed amount of money to support the programme.
Ernest Egyir Foundation is a nonprofit charity organisation committed to providing support for underprivileged people. The foundation is a social responsibility commitment of the founder, and also provides financial aid to brilliant but needy university students from matriculation to graduation in various accredited tertiary institutions in Ghana. Currently, there are twenty beneficiaries in various tertiary institutions across the country.
