The WERP “is an integrated business and community support initiative being implemented by PYXERA Global and funded by Invest for Jobs, a special initiative on training and job-creation of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (MBZ), through the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) with support from Newmont Ghana.

“PYXERA Global, an international non-governmental organisation that leverages public, private, and volunteer resources to strengthen businesses, institutions and governments in emerging markets in 70 countries in five continents”.

Under the theme “Empowering Women-Owned Dressmaking Enterprises”, the programme aims to empower and sustain women-owned micro, small, medium and informal dressmaking businesses through technical and business management training in Tano North Municipality.

It was attended by representatives of the implementing and funding entities including some staff of Newmont Ahafo Mine, Assembly Members of the beneficiaries’ communities and their traditional leaders, among others.

The beneficiaries were selected from five communities-Susuano, Yamfo, Afirispakrom, Terchire and Adrobaa in the Ahafo North Mine area of Newmont Ghana to be equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills and insight into the best sewing and business development practices to grow and expand their businesses.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Kofi Koomson, the Programme Director of the PYXERA global said the US$420,000 worth project started in October 2021, where 124 participants went through an interview process for the selection of 30 qualified persons.

Mr Koomson said the participants would undergo a six-month continuous training in sewing of working gears, uniforms and other attires to meet the competitive markets and urged them to take the training seriously to sustain the project to pave way for others to benefit to enhance women's economic development.

Mr Kwame Agbeko Azumah, the Director of Communication and External Relations of Newmont Ghana said the WERP project was in line with Newmont’s commitment to align its business purpose of creating values and improving the lives of its stakeholders through sustainable and responsible mining.

He said the company played an important role in catalyzing the economic development and social well-being of the government and host communities through job creation, local sourcing and community investments.

Mr Azumah emphasised Newmont Ghana believed for women to succeed and advance economically, they required skills, resources, and fair and equal access to economic institutions.

Hence fostering women economic empowerment involved creating an enabling environment that eliminated barriers women encountered and the provision of a supportive framework for their engagement in the economic realm, he added.

Mr Azumah stressed they must endeavour to equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to impact the younger generations to also build their careers and become economically independent through dressmaking.

Mr John Duti, the Team leader for Invest for Job at GIZ Ghana said if women were given access to the right tools, training and resources they become catalysts for poverty eradication and sustainable development.

He stated that WERP was expected to create about 300 jobs for women and young dressmakers in the Ahafo North, South and Akyem mining areas to support the government’s agenda on job creation and improve the economic standard of women.

Mr Duti said the participants would become well-trained professionals to produce efficiently to meet the demands of the competitive market, adding sewing of Newmont working gears and other attires could be contracted to them to create sufficient jobs for the women project designated area.

As part of the programme, a 30-seater-capacity state of the art Sewing Centre was inaugurated with the outdooring of the beneficiary dressmakers.