In an effort to empower women and youth in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality, the Community Development Unit of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development organized a skills training workshop at the Ahuntem Darmang community on December 5, 2023. This initiative, rooted in the principles of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), aimed to address two crucial aspects: liquid soap making and child protection issues.

The comprehensive program was designed not only to impart practical skills but also to create economic opportunities for participants. Recognizing the vital connection between mothers’ education and the well-being of children, the program emphasized providing both skills and avenues for economic growth.

The liquid soap-making training was marked by high interactivity, with all participants actively engaged in the soap-making process. The ingredients used included base, salt, thickener, booster, perfume, water, and color. Participants received detailed education on the liquid soap-making process, covering the necessary items, precise quantities, and where to purchase them. The importance of packaging to add value and enhance marketability was also emphasized.

The trainers underscored the significance of taking the training seriously, emphasizing its potential to equip participants with additional income-generating skills and financial empowerment. A total of seventy-nine individuals, consisting of seventy-one females and eight males, eagerly participated in the training.

Aligned with the Department’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8, Target 7, which aims to “eliminate the worst forms of child labor by 2025,” an officer from the unit adopted a Participatory Rural Sensitization approach during the training. Using the Child Protection Toolkit, specifically the Maize Plant Activity, participants were educated on children’s rights, referencing the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560). Parents were encouraged to safeguard their children and ensure they receive at least basic education.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the knowledge and skills gained and called for more skills training and sensitization programs from the Unit and the Municipal Assembly. The success of this initiative reflects a positive step towards gender equality, economic growth, and the protection of children’s rights within the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality.