In other to empower WGDs to pursue better employment opportunities, WIN has organised a livelihood and entrepreneurial skill training for 20 WGDs from Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam and Gomoa West districts and Mfantsiman Municipal assembly. On the 5th of July 2022, at 10 am, the training begun at the Ghana Education Staff Development Institute (GESDI) old site at Saltpond, Mfantsiman Municipal Assembly. The training consisted of soap making and baking, the two trainings took place concurrently at the same place.
The training begun with the Executive Director of WIN, Ms. Susie Arku giving the welcome address and explaining the necessity for the training. She encouraged the WGDs to be attentive and participate in their various choice of training, she informed them that WIN and PERD project are rooting for them to be successful and be financially independent.
After the welcome address, participants were divided into their various training groups. The trainer for baking Madam Lydia Essuon, started by teaching them how to make meat-pie, she mentioned the ingredients and the procedure to them. She allowed participants to try their hands on making the dough and the pie. Participants were thrilled to part take in making the pastry. They made other pastries like doughnut, spring-rolls, chips, rough-buns bread and puffed-loaves. The women were engaged and actively involved in the preparations, every one of them got involved and tried their hands on the items.
On the other hand, the participants for the soap and detergent training had also started. They made liquid soap, bar soap, liquid bleach, shampoo, hair conditioner and hand sanitizer. Before she starts with each of the products, she lists the items for making it and outlines the procedure. As she is making the products, she continues to guide participants on how to go about it to give them a better understanding. She gave the women the chance to participate in the production process, they were eager to learn and participate in the process. The training was facilitated by Madam Juliana Odei Yeboah.
After their separate trainings, participants came together to have a financial literacy skills training, this training was facilitated by Madam Isabella Esanti. Before she zoomed into her presentation, she admonished the women to be confident and self-reliant. She added that, they should not feel they are a liability because of their challenge, however they should capitalize on it and make the best out of the situation. She took them through having good customer service skills and relating well with buyers and suppliers. She drummed in that as a business woman, you are supposed to be accommodating and polite to people you interact with especially in relation to your work. She also took them through saving for the business, book keeping, records keeping, planning for the business and personal life, borrowing and lending, going for loans, maximizing profits and getting involved in a hire purchase agreement. She involved the participants into the training and made the training session a discussion. The women made insightful suggestions and contributions. They fully participated in discussions and the training process.
After the financial literacy skills training, WIN gave all participants start-up kits with all the ingredients and equipment they need to start their business with. This was added so that the women could start working immediately and not have to struggle for capital to start working.