On June 27, 2024, the Ablekuma North Municipal Assembly organized a hands-on skill training session at the GHACOE Women’s Ministry. The training, which began promptly at 9:00 am, focused on the production of essential household items, including liquid soap, powerzone, antiseptic, and floor cleaner. The event was designed to empower participants with practical skills to reduce household expenses and explore potential income-generating opportunities.
The program commenced with an opening prayer by one of the participants, followed by an introduction of dignitaries by Mr. Godfred Jnr Saim, the Head of the Social Welfare Department, who also served as the Master of Ceremony. In her opening remarks, the Municipal Coordinating Director highlighted the purpose behind the initiative, stating that the Assembly recognized the financial strain on families from purchasing common cleaning products. The training aimed to equip participants with the knowledge to create these items themselves, thus alleviating unnecessary costs.
Madam Matilda Mahama, the Regional Director for the Department of Community Development, Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, expressed her gratitude to the Municipal Chief Executive (M.C.E) Mr. Kofi Ofori, the Municipal Coordinating Director Mrs. Vera Akuffo, and the Assembly members for organizing the training. She emphasized the importance of the skill-building initiative, especially in the current economic climate. Madam Mahama encouraged participants to use the knowledge gained to generate income by selling the products or to save money by producing them for personal use at home.
A key moment in the training session was the contribution of the Right to Information (RTI) Officer for the Municipal Assembly, Madam Linda Amoah-Boadi Sey. She took the opportunity to educate participants about the Right to Information Act (RTI Act 989), which was passed into law to promote transparency and accountability in government. Madam Linda explained how the RTI Act empowers citizens to request information from public institutions, ensuring greater openness in governance. She assured the participants that they could approach the Municipal Assembly for any clarifications on the RTI Act and emphasized that non-exempt information must be provided within fourteen days. The session concluded with participants engaging in practical exercises, followed by a vote of thanks from Mrs. Selina Afedi.
