Some of the head porters during the graduation ceremony
Opportunity International Savings and Loans organized a graduation ceremony for head porters (kayayei) after successful completion of a livelihood and skills training programme at WAG-SEVICO Skills Training Institute in Accra.
The occasion was graced by Naa Alhaji Chackson Osman, the Mamprusi Community Chief of Accra, including other high-profile dignitaries.
Twenty-four (24) young girls who were working as head porters in Accra were taken through three-week intensive residential training on vocational skills such as bead making, soap making and bakery.
They were allowed to choose a trade out of the various vocations to enable them earn some income to fend for themselves and their families. Upon successful graduation, they were provided with their business start-up kits for the chosen trade. As part of the project, some of the girls would also receive start-up capital for their businesses.
Fifteen (15) of the girls who currently reside at Maamobi in Accra have indicated their readiness to relocate to the north (their home) and ply their chosen trade in and around the Gambaga Market near Tamale, whilst the remaining nine want to stay in Accra due to family and other commitments.
In his opening address, Kwame Owusu-Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity International Savings and Loans, encouraged the participants to make good use of the skills they had acquired.
Naa Alhaji Chackson Osman thanked Opportunity International for such an intervention, saying “I’ve seen several interventions for Kayayei but this one is exceptional.”
The project was funded by Car Val Investors Foundation in the UK. Car Val Investors Foundation supports organisations that help highly vulnerable people in the world. The focus of the foundation is primarily on education and leadership, poverty relief, and health and research. They work with Opportunity International in the UK, and they are represented in Ghana by Opportunity International Savings and Loans Limited.
The next cohort will be funded by the Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust. The Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust promotes and supports international friendship and understanding, world peace, development and education.