A group photograph from the event
The Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has handed over 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 afternoon, Dr. Bawumia said the transformation of the young girls from Kayayeis to professional drivers was a happy day.
“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 said 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,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“Some people were giving them head pans to continue what they were doing. We came up with bold solutions to transform them. The Kayayeis have much intellect as anyone.”
Dr. Bawumia, who made a promise to build a hostel for the Kayayei and offer them training in many ventures, expressed joy that the pledge has been fulfilled and the girls are being transformed.
“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,” he said.
The Managing Director of Greater Accra Private Transport Executives (GAPTE), Charles Annan, under whose tutelage the girls underwent the training, expressed gratitude to Dr. Bawumia for allowing them to contribute towards transforming the Kayayes.
“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,” said Charles Annan.
“This programme started about five 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.
He revealed that with immediate effect, the ladies would be employed by Aayalolo Bus Service and paid salaries, with their social security also assured.
The 22 ladies who graduated expressed immense gratitude to Dr. Bawumia for the “life-changing” opportunity he has given them.
