By Samuel SAM
The PureTrust Foundation LBT, a non-profit organisation based in Tamale, has empowered some young women apprentices in smock-weaving and sewing by providing them with entrepreneurial skills to become resilient.
The 14 beneficiaries had completed a three-year apprenticeship training, but due to financial constraints they needed to be provided with start-up kits, some capital, and weaving and sewing materials needed to start their businesses.
Seven of 2023 beneficiaries were also provided with working capital stabilization in the form of pack of sewing threads, and support to access market to sustain their business.
They were earlier provided with capacity training on positive attitude for business success; introduction to financial resilience; business management coaching; as well as best customer relations aimed at addressing the challenges faced by young graduate apprentices.
The ‘Inclusive smock garment project’ under the Skill development project with support from Vibrant Village brought together smock-weaving and sewing associations from Daboya in the Savannah Region and Northern Region respectively.
At the handing-over ceremony held at Chanayili in the Sagnarigu municipality, the Youth Empowerment Officer, Umar Fadila – who spoke in an interview with the B&FT, noted that empowering the youth with financial literacy training, working capital, in-service training coupled with mentoring will help transit them from training to establishing their own businesses.
Over the past year we have worked with young weavers and listened to their experiences, and now understand their needs; hence provision of the support they need to overcome these challenges in order to make them financially resilient, she said.
Lack of dedicated space has been a challenge, hence the appeal for landlords and traditional authorities to provide space for the young women weavers, she noted.
So far, 16 young women have been trained in smock hand-weaving and sewing skills and had certificates provided by National Vocational and Training Institute; eight were assisted to establish establish their own business – beneficiaries linked to financial institutions for credit access to support their businesses; and 13 are engaged in sustainable employment, she said.
She added that some beneficiaries increased their revenue by 80 percent while eight are currently training a total of 13 apprentices.
With the project, we are committed in introducing women to tailoring smocks by using needles, which is a male-dominated income-generating activity; and provide guidance on business management, life skills, self-care and soft skills to such women in the rural communities, she noted.
We also build the young entrepreneurs’ capacity in basic literacy, numeracy and the use of smart digital skills to enhance their business, and inculcate the culture of saving to expand their business, she added.
According to Executive Director-PureTrust, Mr. Habib Tijani, most young females who engage in apprenticeships are often challenged with access to working capital, equipment and machines to work with, hence the Foundation’s commitment to help address these issues.
According to him, most of the apprentices after completion had to either remain at their masters’ shop or migrate to the south in search of menial jobs which do not reflect their acquired skills.
He said the Foundation offers various community-based programmes aimed at empowering youths and promoting inclusive development.
With the Livelihood Support, the foundation supports livelihood initiatives to enhance economic opportunities for individuals and communities, as well engaging in advocacy efforts to address social issues and promote positive change within communities.
We are also committed in creating opportunities for economic empowerment and social integration, ultimately working toward a more inclusive and prosperous society in Ghana, he said.
Executive Director-Nkpangma Ent., Mad Isshaku Najihatu, expressed gratitude to the Foundation for its support in nurturing young, less privileged women as entrepreneurs to be self-reliant.
Some beneficiaries commended the Foundation for its support and pledged to make good use of items provided to achieve its aims.
