The Ghana Skills Development Initiative (GSDI) proudly celebrated its first graduation
ceremonies in the Northern and Volta Region following the 
successful implementation of the pilot phase in 2014 to 2016. Altogether, more than 80 Apprentices, who have gone through Compency Based Training (CBT) on National Proficiency Level l, graduated in the presence of invited guests, stakeholders and partners.
In the Northern Region, the grand graduation ceremony was held at the Tamale Polytechnic on 16th of March. Ms Mareike Stein (GSDI), Mr Tobias Muehler (GIZ), Mr Kwabena Amaniampong (COTVET), Mr Emmanuel Morrison (FEPTAG), Mr Daniel Berko (TEU), as well as representatives of the Trade Associations and Training Providers were among the many well-wishers. During several addresses and solemn speeches, the honorary guests underlined the importance of the GSDI in modernizing and revaluating the traditional apprenticeship system in Ghana.
In Tamale, a vote of thanks was delivered by Ms Suleika Hamdia, who was one graduates of the day. On behalf of the graduates, she expressed the appreciation and gratitude towards the GSDI for giving higher priority in skills training in the informal sector and pawing way for a better future for youth in the whole country.
The solemn graduation ceremony of the Volta Region took place on 18th of March at the Ho Polytechnic. The Chairman, Dr. George Afeti (COTVET Board, Chairman) opened the ceremony, welcoming the guests and congratulating the graduates for their great achievements. Well wishes were also received from Ms Evelyn Donkor (COTVET), Mr Emmanuel Morrison (FEPTAG) and Ms Lily Myres (TEU) and representatives of Trade Associations and Training Providers. They congratulated the fresh graduates for their important achievements and motivated each of them to continue their educational path and pursue further degrees along the Ghana National TVET Qualifications Framework.
On behalf of all graduates, Ms Anita Azumah, thanked all involved organizations and individuals for the opportunity provided to her and her fellow apprentices. She highlighted the importance of TVET in Ghana, especially in the informal sector, and her gratitude of the comprehensive training she received in school as well as at the workplace.
The graduation ceremo
nies in the Northern and Volta Region closed with the festive handover of the graduation certificates. Apprentices, who have gone through the Competency Based Training (CBT) on National Proficiency Level l in the Garment, Electronics, Automotive, Cosmetology or Welding sector, and who have successfully passed the final assessment, received a graduation certificate handed over by the honorary guests of the ceremonies.
Together with its main cooperation partner, the national Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), and on behalf of the German Government, the Ghana Skills Development Initiative (GSDI) takes a threefold approach by Modernizing Traditional Apprenticeships, Strengthening Trade Associations and Training Institutions. Altogether more than 230 Apprentices have been trained during the pilot phase in National Proficiency Level l in Greater Accra, the Northern Region and the Volta Region in Ghana. The final graduation ceremony for Greater Accra will take place on 22nd March 2016 at Accra Technical Training Center (ATTC) in Accra.
