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Ghana through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) has disbursed GH�6.785 million to 30 institutions. The disbursement list obtained from the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), operators of the SDF by the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday indicates that this is the second batch of beneficiaries of the SDF/COTVET fund. The beneficiary institutions are: Bosomtwi District Poultry and Livestock Farmers Association received GH� 45,870.30 to train 31 members in reducing mortality of poultry and livestock on their farms. The farmers will also be trained on the usage of �RE3,� an organic feed supplement. Eureka Garages Association received GH�105, 003.00 to upgrade the skills of 150 members in modern auto mechanic technology and basic computer literacy. An amount of GH� 59, 333.40 has been given to the Eastern Regional Grasscutter Farmers Association to train 90 members in the preparation of new feed package and diet using local crop residue solution such as Moringa and other local herbs. The Volta Regional Poultry Farmers Association was given GH� 86,490.00 to upgrade 60 members in technical expertise in caring for chickens from day old chicks to maturity. The association will also upgrade the skills of members in medication administration, temperature control and feeding. Widows and Orphans Movement is to train 240 widows and orphans in operation and maintenance skills in Shea butter extraction and packaging using GH� 83,457.00 received from the fund. Christian Mothers Association of Ghana received GH� 78,867.00 for skills upgrading of 100 members in prudent financial management, small scale business management, record keeping, banking culture and how to access micro credit. Association of Road Contractors Ghana is to use GH� 115,688.00 to train 120 members in the calculation, use and application of rates for work items. The training will provide skills in realistic and accurate pricing for bills of quantities. Gold Coast Fruits would use GH� 247,920.00 to train staff in agronomic systems for production of globally demanded pineapple variety (MD2). National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers-Abokobi received GH�28, 305.00 to upgrade skills of its 35 members in hair cutting, modern practices of cosmetology, health and safety, and entrepreneurial skills. Cape Coast Polytechnic, Department of Tourism received GH�237, 900.00 to develop competency based courses in hospitality, travel and tourism. Asuogyaman Soapmakers Association received GH� 19,521.00 to upgrade the technical skills of its 25 members in quality powdered soap making, packaging, branding, and applying the right fragrance, entrepreneurial and management training, coaching and counselling Tradeworks Company Limited (TCL) was also given GH� 368,000.00 to assemble solar panels in Ghana. SDF is funding the cost of acquiring a 10MW solar panel module production line for the production of solar panel, the cost of managing the entire project and engineering services as well as installation, commissioning and training to be provided by the providers of the technology. Fifty staffs and apprentices of TCL are expected to benefit from the initiative. Ghana Rice Inter Professional Body received GH� 100,854.00 to train key executives of the body as trainer of trainers and train 30 small holder farmers in a new technology called System Rice Intensification, which is proven to increase output by 10 metric tonnes per hectare and suitable for small holder farmers. Ghana Electronic Service Technicians Association was provided with a sum of GH� 937,260.00 to train 1,050 members in the acquisition of new skills in servicing digital televisions, computers, laptops and digital boxes. Fronter E-Learning Ghana Limited would use a sum of GH� 252,974.00 to train and upgrade the skills of 100 staff in the Fronter E-Learning environment to be abreast of international standard services offered to clients using the Fronter E-Learning platform. National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers, New Juaben received GH� 76,500.00 to upgrade the skills and knowledge of 100 members in hair and beauty care; the use of hot curler for tonguing and creating hair styles, selecting a hair relaxer to use for each type of hair, fixing nail extensions and entrepreneurial skills. The Bolgatanga Polytechnic was given GH�458,380.00 to develop a competency based curriculum and provide skills training for 300 farmers in the handling of tomatoes in readiness for gamma irradiation and processing. The Polytechnic will also set up three medium intermediary processing facilities for continuous training in processing tomatoes. The University of Ghana�s Department of Geography and Resource Development received GH� 1,708,688.00 to collaborate with Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service to introduce new technology and an innovative data capturing mechanism to improve on revenue generation and emergency response service for national development. Global Garments and Textiles is to use GH� 388, 800.00 to train 250 workers including some 100 employees that have been laid off, to meet the international standard required by clients and to enhance its competitiveness and attract even bigger orders to boost its export production. Askn Electric Limited received GH� 237,490.00 to upgrade the skills of 21 permanent staff and 54 casual staff in; safety operational procedures, line construction, distribution and transmission equipment, introduction and exposure to safe cable laying techniques. Ghana Association of Garages - Association of Welders -Cape Coast received GH� 33,210.00 to develop a structured training programme and train metal and fabrication master crafts persons in entrepreneurship, literacy and computational skills An amount of GH� 20, 083.95 was given to the Fotobi Cooperative Pineapple Growers and Marketing Society to provide 45 members with technical skills and technology update on regular basis to enable them respond favourably to demands from exporters and other buyers. A sum of GH� 74, 336.00 was given to three Oak Company Limited to train staff in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points , quality test on fresh produce and finished products, ingredient and produce and finished products, ingredient and packaging material sourcing, shelf- life studies and tomato products development. The Centre for Development Partnership (CDP) received GH� 167,818.00 to support the overall goal of providing Bamboo Craft skill based training over an eight month period. CDP will train 30 trainers who will in turn the 300 trainees to support the production process in 10 bamboo cottage enterprises. Persol Systems Limited was provided GH� 327,758.10 to enhance the skills and expertise of staff in Agile Development Methodologies and best practices as well as Mobile and Hosted application development and deployment. Horseman Enterprise was given GH� 73,778.00 to train staff in new trends in shoe and bag manufacturing such as computer aided shoe design, shoe drawing, shoe construction, computer aided bag design, entrepreneurial skills, customer service and book keeping. Flair Training School received GH� 277,165.12 to partner Oasis Management Limited, a leading food safety management systems training company, to implement a programme to deliver training and certification in Health Analysis and Critical Control points to the hospitality industry. A sum of GH� 107,325.00 was allocated to the Ghana National Association of Garment Makers to train 150 members in the use of industrial sewing machines, professional pattern making, cutting and construction and knit stitching. The Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled Chalk Factory was given GH� 21,381.25 to collaborate with GRATIS Foundation to develop a modern moulding technology that will facilitate production increase; from 50 pieces of chalk in 15 minutes to 225 pieces of chalk. In 2006, COTVET was established by Government under Act of 2008. The objective of the Council is to coordinate and oversee all aspects of technical and vocational education and training. One of the Council's functions is to 'source funding to support technical and vocational education and training (TVET) activities'. The establishment of SDF is seen as one of a series of new mechanisms to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the TVET system and ensure sustainable sources of funding for the body. To achieve the objective the SDF is designed to include responsive policy, governance structures, institutional arrangements, institutional capacities, systems and procedures to support life-long learning in TVET.