Eleven youth undergo heavy-duty equipment training

Eleven young persons from host communities of Abosso Goldfields Limited (AGL) in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality have benefitted from a six-month heavy-duty equipment training programme.

The objective of the programme, initiated by the AGL was not only to train and employ but to pass on employable skills that would create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony, Mr Abdel-Razak Yakubu, Community Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement, Manager, explained that the beneficiaries were trained in operating dump trucks, excavators, dozers and drill rig equipment.

“After the programme, the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission assessed the trainees and all of them passed so their certificates would be presented to them,” he said.

Mr Yakubu announced that six of the beneficiaries were employed by Engineers and Planners, who were the main architects of the programme and two have also started working with some mining companies in Akyem and Bibiani.

“So, we are encouraging the others to continue applying to mining companies all over the country and even beyond, because there were upcoming mining firms that required technical skills,” he added.

According to Mr Yakubu, “this year, twenty host community youth have been selected for the same programme and the graduation ceremony was used as an induction service for them.

“The beneficiaries will also go through six months of intensive training and attachment after which Minerals Commission will assess them and only successful trainees will be issued with certificates.”

He, therefore, urged the youth to take the programme seriously since it was an opportunity for them to get employment.

Some of the youth in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) expressed gratitude to AGL for introducing the training programme saying it has come as a great relief to them.

The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) in 2021 partnered with Engineers and Planners (E&P), a mining business partner to AGL to train interested youth from the Mine’s host communities.