PEPS-C:
Producer Enterprises Promotion Services Centre
| THE GENERAL AIM OF P.E.P.S.C. The general aim of PEPSC was to mobilise the graduates of the Vocational Schools into viable co-operatives to enable them earn a living through gainful employment and thereby increase their retention rate in the Region and contribute their share to the development of the Region. | ||||||||||||||||
| Short history The first experimental phase of PEPS-C started in 1986 and ended in 1993. In this phase the adoption of the co-operative idea was a leading item. An evaluation of this first phase learnt that this was not a good objective. From 1993 PEPS-C allows sole entrepreneurs but keeps on encouraging them to form partnerships and where possible co-operatives. At the same time to try to form an Association of enterprises involved in production to work together solving problems facing those enterprises, to educate and support one another. In June 1998 , a charitable Trust was founded and PEPS-C agreed to transfer all its properties into this trust for the benefit and use of all identifiable Vocational School leavers within North Western Ghana as well as all development oriented producer enterprises. The head office of PEPS-C was also moved from Nandom to the Regional capital Wa following the construction of facilities at the new site. This was decided with the aim to be more centrally situated for all enterprises and to build up and be in closer contact and co-operation with Regional Government bodies and sister organisations. Without the support and financial assistance of PEPS-C many young skilled artisans should leave the area, drifting down to the more lucrative urban areas of Southern Ghana, to look for work and income. This problem is now avoided; PEPS-C enables the graduates of the vocational schools, boys and girls, to live through gainful employment and thereby increase their retention rate in the Region and contribute their share to the development of the Region. Impact of PEPS-C on Beneficiaries An appraisal team undertook focussed group discussions and interviews with beneficiaries in order to gain insight into the impact of PEPS-C on their lives and that of the general society of the Upper West Region. The following are the highlights of impacts. Employment and Retention of the youth So far, PEPS-C has mobilised and retained 90 enterprise groups comprising over 384 skilled graduates of vocational / technical schools and other graduate apprentices. In the absence of PEPS-C , these graduates would probably not have found self-employment in the vocations that they studied at school; PEPS-C 's programme has given the encouragement, confidence and the means to the youth to engage in viable producer enterprises. Development of work skills PEPS-C's intervention has helped the region to develop a cadre of professional skills that has hitherto not been available in the UWR. Beneficiaries indicate that, previously, certain skilled jobs required the importation of experts from outside the Region. Presently , most skilled jobs are being undertaken by skilled craftsmen and women from within the PEPS-C enterprise network of groups. Improvement in Beneficiary Welfare A few enterprise groups, particularly the building and carpentry/furniture making groups, have really improved their welfare. Their annual audited financial statements have shown a consistent increase in their total net worth over a three-year period. |
|
|||||||||||||||
