The Church of Pentecost has constructed three new Skills Development Centres in Northern Ghana to empower young persons economically.
The facilities are at Temaa in Walewale, Zebilla in Bawku, and Kaleo in Wa.
The Chairman revealed this in the 2022 State-of-the-Church Address (SOCA22), which he delivered on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the 46th General Council Meetings opening ceremony.
In his address, he said, “To enhance economic livelihoods in deprived communities, PENTSOS, with funding from the Church, implemented three critical interventions to improve household incomes and create jobs for the youth.
According to him, the Church, through PENTSOS, constructed a gari processing centre in the Nyambong community in the Nkwanta Area of the Church to improve the standard of living of women and their families in and around the community.
He added that the facility, which comprises a storeroom, office, grating, dewatering, and roasting areas, produces about 500 bags of gari weekly with buyers from Bawku, Bolgatanga, Techiman, Burkina Faso and Mankessim.
He further noted that the Church has constructed and operated a 10-acre solar-powered irrigation farm at Tanga in the Bawku Area. It currently employs 52 farmers to improve their income levels.
Apostle Nyamekye mentioned that, under Vision 2023, a major strategic priority for PENTSOS is to build sustainable livelihoods, climate change resilience, and efficient natural resources management.
“This vision enjoins PENTSOS to train and resource members of The Church of Pentecost on snail rearing, mushroom cultivation, soap making, and dry season vegetable gardening to earn income from the venture,” he indicated.
He revealed that PENTSOS also facilitated financial support provided through PENCO with micro-loans (or partnerships with government or private institutions) for members of the Church to start their businesses after training.
“The overarching purpose of the Church’s livelihood enhancement interventions is to create an enabling environment for job creation to enhance household income levels,” he ended.
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