A total of 600 Kayayei, or female head porters, have successfully completed a skills training program under the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (NEIP). The graduates were celebrated at a ceremony marking the end of their training.
The program, aimed at uplifting the socioeconomic status of Kayayei, equipped participants with practical skills to help them transition into new livelihoods. Training covered a range of areas including soap and detergent production, baking, beauty services, and home decor.
The initiative, under the leadership of NEIP CEO Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, has seen trainees from the Madina and Ashaiman campuses complete the program. Nkansah reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting graduates beyond the training period, signaling continued support for these women.
The NEIP has fulfilled its promise to provide each Kayayei trainee with a stipend of 1,000 cedis, ensuring they receive the full 1,500 cedis allocated for their training. NEIP CEO Kofi Ofosu Nkansah emphasized that this financial assistance, combined with the skills acquired, will equip the graduates to establish successful businesses.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of her peers, graduate Juliet Serwaa highlighted the life-changing impact of the program. She emphasized the graduates’ eagerness to contribute positively to their communities through their entrepreneurial endeavors.
In addition to skills training, the program offered comprehensive support, including financial management education, business development guidance, and the provision of starter packs and microgrants. These resources are designed to empower the graduates as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Mr. Ofosu Nkansah encouraged the graduates to become role models, inspiring others through their achievements. He stressed the potential for their success stories to catalyze broader societal change.
The graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone for the NEIP’s Kayayei empowerment initiative. As the program continues to enroll new participants, it remains committed to transforming the lives of marginalized women through skills development and entrepreneurship.
