By Sallieu S. Kanu
The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt has launched a training workshop for women in coastal risk communities and distributed start up kits to 50 women in Lakka Community.
The skills and entrepreneurship training programme aims at empowering these women to be self-reliant and abstain from destructive environmental practices
The programme which is being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board with support from UNDP under the Gef Project is targeting women in the coastal risk areas of Lakka, Hamilton, Tombo, Conakry Dee, Chepo and Shenge.
The Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh told participants that the women empowerment training was borne out of the Minister’s vision for women in tourism. He said that the women will be trained on entrepreneurship techniques, handicrafts skills and mentorship.
In her brief statement, the General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Fatmata Hamid Carew said at the end of the training the women will be empowered to be self-reliant, while urging them to grab the opportunity for the betterment of their families.
Speaking to beneficiaries at the Lakka Community Hall, Dr. Pratt intimated that even though Lakka is seen as a fishing community, it also has huge sustainable tourism potentials. She said the training was aimed at growing tourism and transforming communities. She disclosed that the world has consented to support her women in tourism initiative for which they will be targeting more communities. She called on beneficiaries to focus their attention on mastering the skills in other for them to apply for loan and grant schemes to grow their businesses.
Presenting the start-up kits to the women, Dr. Pratt thanked the trainers and encouraged the trainees to use the start-up kits for the purpose for which it was given. She informed that them that there will be an exhibition competition for all the communities that benefited from the project.
The women were trained on embroidery, gara tie dying and make up skills. Each trainee was given a start-up package of ribbons, beads, lapper, needles, threads, sticker, rubber bucket, rubber bowl, ink, soda, powder, cloth, gloves, variety of small brushes for eyebrow and lash, variety of small combs, set of face lotion, setting spray and a token of cash.
The jubilant women appreciated the Minister and her team for considering their communities for the training. They assured that the skills learnt will be beneficial to them and their families.