Flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has launched a Kayayei Empowerment Programme aimed at uplifting the socio-economic status of head porters, known locally as Kayayei.
The initiative was marked by the commissioning of eight 4-storey hostel and skills training centres in Greater Accra, aimed at providing essential vocational skills and safe housing for the kayayei.
The programme promises to provide these marginalized women with critical skills and opportunities to transition into more stable and rewarding employment.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, May 20, Vice President Bawumia emphasized the urgency and importance of the initiative and stressed the moral imperative of urgent intervention to uplift and transform their lives.
The programme, designed through a collaborative effort among various government agencies, private enterprises, and civil society organizations, aims to provide holistic and sustainable economic empowerment.
Key partners include the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), among others.
Dr. Bawumia disclosed that the first cohort will see 5,000 Kayayei receiving training in modules including baking, beading, personal health care, financial management, and entrepreneurial skills over three weeks.
He assured that there will also be a post-training support whereby each participant receives a starter pack to facilitate their integration into new economic opportunities.
The programme’s infrastructure includes the establishment of two hostels designed to accommodate 300 girls each, equipped with modern training facilities and sanitary amenities. Further hostels are under construction in the Ashanti and Bono East regions.
Vice President Bawumia disclosed ongoing discussions with Metro Mass and Ayalolo to teach driving skills and provide ICT training, further expanding the programme’s scope.
“With an overarching goal to empower Kayayei across Ghana through the transformative power of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), the programme sets out to train a total of 5,000 girls this year,” he declared.
The Vice President praised the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Irene Naa Torshie Addo, for her massive support.
He disclosed that following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he sought Irene Naa Torshie to support his initiative on the Kayayei.
The Administrator, he said, graciously agreed to the proposal and set out to make the initiative a reality, which culminated in the launch on Monday.
The Vice President called for collective commitment to the programme’s success, urging all stakeholders to believe in the potential for significant change.
The administrator of the DACF, in a speech during the commissioning ceremony, stressed the profound struggles faced by Kayayei and praised Dr. Bawumia for his visionary leadership, compassion and significant stride towards empowering the most vulnerable women in Ghana.
“For too long, the story of our kayayei has been one of struggle, resilience, courage, and determination. The streets of our cities, which they expected to serve as promising avenues of opportunity, have become harsh realities, denying them the dignity and security they deserve,” she said.
Naa Torshie Addo recounted the journey that led to the establishment of the Kayayei Empowerment Programme and indicated how Dr. Bawumia promised to change their situation for good and initiated actions to roll out a comprehensive initiative aimed at providing the kayayei with essential vocational skills.
According to her, the programme, funded by the DACF has the potential to break the cycle of poverty and foster entrepreneurship and financial stability among kayayei and other vulnerable women.
