<<Print>>

The First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of the proposed Gambaga Women�s Training Institute to provide vocational skills to marginalized women. The Institute which includes a demonstration block with offices and dormitories, a single storey hostel with additional facilities, and a six-unit classroom block, are to be completed within two years with funding from the Ghana Education Trust Fund. Mrs Mahama, who addressed chiefs and people of the Mamprugu Traditional Area during the sod cutting ceremony at Gambaga in the East Mamprusi District of the Northern Region on Friday, said the projects are �in line with the commitment of the President to expand access to education, especially at the pre-tertiary level and particularly for the girl-child.� She said the Institute would provide training in various skills including basic book-keeping and savings and beneficiaries would be supported with small loans to start and expand their business. She said, �My concern for the girl-child and female education at all levels, is aimed at ensuring that they are equipped enough to make a meaningful contribution to their self-development.� Mrs Mahama acknowledged that even though the project would impact positively on the lives of the women in the area, �there is much more we can do to help our mothers� adding �A woman�s dignity and fundamental rights must be respected.� Mr Bede Ziedeng, Northern Regional Minister, said the Institute would serve the North-Eastern corridor of the country and urged residents to take advantage of it to add value to their lives. Nayire Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai, the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, thanked Mrs Mahama for the initiative saying it indicated her commitment to improving the lives of the marginalized women especially the alleged witches in the area. He appealed to the Government to improve the road infrastructure of the District to facilitate business activities. He also appealed to the Government to absorb the Gambaga College of Education as a public institution to expand admission into the College and train more teachers to help improve education in the area. As part of the sod cutting ceremony, Mrs Mahama donated bags of rice, gallons of cooking oil, cartons of soap, used clothing amongst other items to 138 alleged witches drawn from the Gambaga Witches Camp. Cash transfer under the government�s Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme was also made to all 138 alleged witches at the camp. Later in Tamale, Mrs Mahama donated bags of rice, used clothing, cartons of soap amongst other items to the Nyohini Children�s Home for the upkeep of the children there.