GRATIS Foundation and WFP Launch Youth Skills Training Project

The Ghana Regional Appropriate Technology Industrial Service (GRATIS) Foundation, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), has officially launched a transformative Youth Skills Training Project

The 5 million GHc project is aimed at equipping 231 Ghanaian youth with specialized skills in post-harvest loss reduction through local machine fabrication across the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of GRATIS Foundation, Dr. Isaac ADaebsah,  in an interview with the media disclosed the significance of the initiative, describing it as “more than just a training programme” He stated that the Youth Skills Training Project is a bold step toward addressing a critical gap in our agricultural value chain, post-harvest losses, which continue to threaten food security, economic productivity, and rural livelihoods.

According to him, the program will equip youth with practical, hands-on skills in machine design, fabrication, and maintenance. This approach, he stated, will not only prepare participants with employment-ready competencies but also contribute directly to Ghana’s national development goals.

He stated that food production alone can not guarantee that every Ghanaian household has access to adequate nutrition. He explained that much of the nation’s harvest is lost after production due to weak storage and processing systems, undermining farmers’ efforts and threatening national food security.

He said initiatives like the GRATIS–WFP Youth Skills Training Project, which equips young people with technical skills in machine fabrication and maintenance, is designed to address these challenges by providing innovative solutions that cut down food waste while boosting the country’s food supply chain

“Equally, this initiative speaks directly to the Feed Ghana agenda. If we are to feed Ghana, we must also be able to store Ghana’s food, preserve it, and process it efficiently. By reducing post-harvest losses through appropriate technology, we ensure that the hard work of our farmers is not wasted and that food reaches every Ghanaian table, from north to south,” he said.

He further disclosed that the initiative aligns perfectly with H.E. President John Dramani Mahama’s policy on a 24-hour economy, promoting continuous production and innovation.

“This project could not be more timely. It aligns perfectly with the forward-looking vision of H.E. the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and his policy direction toward a 24-hour economy.

“This policy calls for a dynamic, round-the-clock production ecosystem. By developing a skilled workforce capable of producing, maintaining, and innovating agro-machinery locally, GRATIS is actively supporting the industrial infrastructure needed for such an economy to thrive.” He stated.

Dr. Isaac Adaebsah expressed deep appreciation to the World Food Programme for partnering with GRATIS, affirming the Foundation’s commitment to working closely with government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders to scale up the model and reach more communities.

Source: Ghanaweb.mobi