Suame: A brief but vibrant ceremony was held at the Suame Technical Institute, near Kumasi, to commemorate the first anniversary of the Heavy-Duty Artisans Association of Ghana (GHAART). The event was themed ‘Empowering Skilled Hands for a Better Tomorrow’, highlighting the association’s commitment to enhancing the skills and prospects of artisans across the nation.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Suleman Abdul Rahman, the National President of GHAART, expressed the association’s dedication to uniting artisans under a single umbrella to improve their livelihoods. He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities for training and skill enhancement to keep pace with the rapidly evolving global automobile industry.

Mr. Jerry Aflabo, the Ashanti Regional Manager of the Driver and Vehicles Licensing Authority (DVLA), encouraged GHAART members and artisans to maintain confidence in their professions and deliver professional services. He urged them to embody honesty, integrity, and discipline to gain customer trust and enhance the trade’s reputation. ‘Let’s cherish our trade, build mutual trust with customers, and be in good business, to impact positively on society and beyond,’ he advised.

The Principal of Suame Technical Institute, Mr. Nurudeen Ansomah, called on parents and guardians to motivate their female wards to pursue technical education, traditionally viewed as a male-dominated field. He noted the increasing interest of females in technical education, which bodes well for the country’s future. The Institute currently has 1,250 students, comprising 816 males and 334 females.

Mr. George Hooper from Seahorse Lubricants Company praised GHAART’s leadership for their foresight and pledged ongoing support to promote vehicular, passenger, and road safety. Meanwhile, Miss Dorcas Afriyie, a student at Suame Technical Institute, shared her views with the Ghana News Agency, stating that success is not determined by gender but by equal opportunities to learn and achieve ambitions. She urged society to support women venturing into technical fields, asserting that such opportunities could drive significant societal change.