The UCFFRK Vocational Training Institute at Akyem Awisa which was opened in July, 2013 to provide free Vocational Education to the people of Akyem Awisa and its environs has graduated its first batch of students. The school offers Courses in Sewing and fashion design with plans far advanced to start a course in Catering.

The students who completed the first batch were given free sewing machines to start life on their own. The District Chief Executive for the district on behalf of the District Assembly also supported them with some money to help cushion them as they prepare to start their own business.

In a speech read on his behalf, the president of UCFFRC, Marten Hetta advised the students that “the vocational education is known worldwide as a curriculum that prepares people to work in a trade and a craft. The next step in life for you is to move out of the classroom, with a sewing machine as your companion.”

The UCFFRK Vocational Institute is a free training institute built by the people of Akyem Awisa with financial support from UCFFRC, EVRY Card Services that operates in the Scandinavia and the Salvation Army Church with Herald Foundation providing supervisory responsibilities.

The president of UCFFRC said “11th of November, is a special day well known in many countries as the ‘Remembrance Day’ to recall the end of hostilities of World War I in 1918. For us in UCFFRK in Umea and you the people of Awisa, the 11th of November will be from now on be remembered as ‘Graduation Day’. A day when we look forward to remember the effort of those who built the school, the teachers who followed their vocation and trained the students and most of all remember the first batch of students who completed their training despite uncertainty that is always connected with education, and the hardship and long days needed to reach this success.”

Speaking to the media, Mr. Kwesi Ahenkora Anti the Secretary of herald foundation said, all that a student needs to be a student of the school is his/her accommodation since the students do not pay anything to the school in a form of tuition fee or anything. The sponsors of the school “provide everything for the school including the materials, machines for their practical and even including some money to the students for their lunch daily provided by the Salvation Army Church.” He said.

Mr. Emmanuel Kwakye, the DCE for the Birim South District congratulated the students for their successful graduation. On behalf of the District Assembly, he made some cash donation to the students to help them start their own business.

Several other speakers who spoke at the event which include Mr. Mikael Lundgren – Chairman of Umea Ghana Union- Nana Nuako Oppong Kwakye, Amanonehene of Akyem Awisa, the MP for Akyem Swedru and the District director of GES all congratulated the students for their successful completion of their three year course.

On her part, Mrs. Gifty Kwakye, headmistress of the school recounted some successes chalked by the school in these few years. He however pleaded with the sponsors to help expand the infrastructure in the school in order for them to be able to introduce new courses. She congratulated her students for scoring 100% in the NVTI examination with distinction in Mathematics.

The Chief of Akyem Awisa Nana Kwarteng Karikari promised the continuous support of the community for the school. He advised the people of Akyem Awisa to take advantage of the school and enroll their wards in the school for a better future for their wards. He advised the students to stay away from unhealthy social vices and maintain discipline in the school.

  Kwasi Frimpong