The Vice-President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia has concurrently launched the ‘Kayayei’ empowerment programme at Madina Social Welfare and Ashaiman in the Greater Region.
The day also witnessed the commissioning of a multi-purpose training and hostel facility for the intended purpose. The two-fold event was held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
The programme is an initiative geared towards empowering about 5000 female head potters to provide them with self-empowerment and business development skills to enhance their socio-economic status.
The centre embodies two training rooms, three pantries, a kitchen, a clinic, 15 washrooms, five dormitories, fire extinguishers, CCTV, 24/7 security and a food shed.
The facilities are a fulfilment of a promise made by Dr. Bawumia on behalf government in 2019 to head potters during a visit to their base in Agbogbloshie to familiarise himself with their conditions.
In an address, Dr. Bawumia expressed his satisfaction at the coming into fruition of government promise to the head potters, whose plight needed empathetic attention from government and major stakeholders.
He emphasised that these centres would empower kayayeis and gradually bring on an end to the kayayeis phenomenon.
Dr. Bawumia revealed that accommodation facilities in Madina and Ashaiman, would serve as both hostels and training centres for the beneficiaries, in harmony with government’s efforts to address challenges faced by vulnerable groups and the disadvantaged in society.
He advised the kayayei to take advantange of the programme to uplift them to a higher socio-economic status.
According to him, despite the doubts and criticism about the project, he knew it would be possible.
“When I made this promise on behalf of the government, there were many who thought it was not a realistic one. But I knew it was possible for us to do it.”
SOURCE: ISD – LaNMMA
