The Naada Jinapor Foundation has officially opened a Skills Training Centre at Yipala, a farming community near Damongo in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region, as part of efforts to equip young people and other community members with practical skills to improve their livelihoods and achieve financial independence.
The initiative forms part of the Foundation’s commitment to community development through vocational training, skills acquisition and the creation of opportunities for people to build sustainable livelihoods.
The centre offers training in hairdressing, tailoring, bead making, Northern Kente weaving and soap making, providing beneficiaries with opportunities to acquire practical, income-generating skills that can help them establish their own businesses or pursue employment.
The establishment of the facility is particularly significant for the youth of Yipala and surrounding communities, where access to vocational training opportunities can be a major challenge. By bringing skills training closer to residents, the initiative is expected to create opportunities for young people to develop their talents, become economically productive and contribute meaningfully to local development.
Through the training programmes, beneficiaries will have the opportunity to acquire skills that can serve as a foundation for entrepreneurship and self-employment. Rather than relying solely on scarce formal employment opportunities, young people can use their expertise to establish small businesses, generate income and gradually build financial security.
The initiative also has the potential to stimulate economic activity within the community. Young people who establish successful businesses may eventually employ others, creating a ripple effect that benefits households and the wider local economy.
For young women, the centre presents an important opportunity to develop marketable skills and become financially independent.
Training in areas such as tailoring, hairdressing, bead making and soap production can equip them with the tools to pursue their ambitions, support their families and participate more actively in economic development.
Madam Naada Jinapor, founder of the Naada Jinapor Foundation, said the vision behind the centre was to provide a welcoming and conducive environment where anyone willing to learn a skill could do so.
She expressed the hope that the skills acquired at the facility would empower beneficiaries to earn decent incomes, become financially independent and build better futures for themselves and their families.
The opening of the centre on October 11, marking the International Day of the Girl Child, made the occasion particularly significant, drawing attention to the importance of giving girls opportunities to learn, develop their abilities and realise their full potential.
The initiative reinforces the importance of vocational education as a tool for empowering girls, particularly those who may face barriers to further formal education or access to employment.
By equipping them with practical skills, the centre can help create pathways towards entrepreneurship, economic independence and improved living conditions.
Madam Naada Jinapor, who is the wife of the Member of Parliament (MP) for theDamongo Constituency has undertaken a similar skills development project in the Apilso Electoral Area of the constituency.
The establishment of the Yipala facility further highlights the Foundation’s focus on community-based interventions aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding access to practical training opportunities.
As youth unemployment and economic hardship continue to challenge many communities, skills training centres can play an important role in bridging the gap between education and employment. However, sustained training, access to equipment and materials, and support for graduates seeking to establish their own businesses will be crucial to maximising the centre’s long-term impact.
The Yipala Skills Training Centre is expected to serve as a platform for nurturing talent, promoting entrepreneurship and empowering young people to transform their skills into sustainable sources of income.
Ultimately, the initiative offers more than vocational training. It provides an opportunity for young people and women to build confidence, pursue economic independence and contribute to the development of their families and communities.
Source: nkilgifm.com
