22 ‘Kayayies’ Graduate As Professional Bus Drivers Under Bawumia’s Empowerment Programme
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has handed certificates to 22 female head porters who have graduated as bus drivers.
The porters, popularly known as Kayayei, underwent training at the instance of Dr. Bawumia under the Kayayei Empowerment Programme he initiated which also has other modules such as beads making, fashion designing, soap making among others for a total of 5000 Kayayeis.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the qualified drivers in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Bawumia expressed delight over the transformation of the young girls from Kayayei to professional drivers.
“Today is a happy day for 22 young ladies who were formerly Kayayei but today, they are professional Aayalolo drivers. I am happy for their transformation and happy to formally acknowledge them and hand them their certificates”, Dr. Bawumia said.
The Vice President added that Kayayeis find themselves in a disadvantaged position and while some people gave them head pans to continue carrying loads, “we thought of a bold solution for them”.
“We were very much concerned and thought of what we could do to help them…Some people were giving them head pans to continue what they were doing. We came with bold solutions to transform them. The Kayayeis have much intellect as anyone.”
Dr. Bawumia who has fulfilled his promise to build hostel for the Kayayei and offer them training narrated; “One day, on a trip to Agbogbloshie, I said I would build them a hostel to help transform them. Many doubted it and said it was not possible but I said it is possible.”
The Managing Director of Greater Accra Private Transport Executives (GAPTE), Charles Annan under whose tutelage the girls underwent the training also expressed gratitude to Dr. Bawumia for giving them the opportunity to transform the life of the Kayayeis.
“You gave us a task to train Kayayeis to drive buses and we have delivered. And today, we are here to show you the ladies you gave this opportunity to…This programme started about 5 months ago when you launched the Kayayei Empowerment Programme about 5 months ago…Today, we have 22 young women who have moved from being Kayayei to qualified drivers”, Charles Annan remarked.
He revealed that the ladies will with immediate effect be employed by Aayalolo Bus Service and their salaries paid with their social security also assured.
The graduates were extremely happy and thankful to Dr. Bawumia for the “life-changing” opportunity he has given them.
Source: Ghmessenger.com
