Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, Tema East Member of Parliament in the Greater Accra Region, has donated some brand new 34 sewing machines to the Tema Manhean Chapter of Ghana National Association of Garment Makers to fulfil election 2020 campaign promise he made to the Association.

The initiative, forms part of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP’s way of empowering the youth in the Constituency to be self-sufficient irrespective of their educational background.

The machines were given to members of both the old Association, which is the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association (GNTDA) and the new Association which is Ghana National Association of Garment Makers at an apprenticeship graduation ceremony held over the weekend at Tema Manhean.

The graduation ceremony, which came off after a three-year intensive training, was organised on the theme: “Garment making, a means for survival in this COVID-19 era”.

Making the presentation to the apprentices, Mr Odamtten who was also the special guest of honour commended the grandaunts for availing themselves to undergo the training.

“I am happy to see the youth around witnessing the exhibition of talents and skills of the apprentices, they can become national and continental fashion designers and this is the reason I want to support projects like this, I want to contribute to people who are willing to exhibit their talents,” he said.

Mr Odamtten said such talents must be developed and exploited to benefit the family, society and the world at large, adding that Technical Vocational Training and Education was essential in making the youth self-sufficient, so that they would be responsible citizens for the country.

He said the move formed part of fulfilling the NDC’s 2020 manifesto to train and empower the youth who wants to venture into vocational training to boost economic development.

 “We are laying a solid foundation so that when we take off, every tradesman, the artisan will receive support to learn skills or further their education, an office will be open so that those who want to learn trade or further their education will come and register to be supported,” he said.

The Tema East MP commended leaders of the Associations for the efforts in equipping the trainees with skills and professional grounding in business.