Bong District #3 Representative Cole, Wife Empower Over 4,000 Women with Vocational Skill Training and Finance

Gbarnga – Over 4,000 rural women have graduated with basic vocational skills from the NENIKPOMA Women Alliance in Gbarnga, Bong County.

The NENIKPOMA Women Alliance is a non-for-profit organization that is in the vanguard of training young and older folks in Gbarnga, to become self-sufficient. It was founded by Madam Youngor Barco Cole, the wife of Bong District#3 Representative Marvin Josiah Cole.

Gbarnga, Bong County’s Capital and the height of District #3 came alive when thousands of these beneficiaries from several towns and villages converged in the city for the first general graduation ceremony over the weekend.

The event was attended by high-profile government officials including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Kofa and some members of the House, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Nathaniel McGill and Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah, Jr. who proxy for Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mrs. Cole said the corporation is organized exclusively for charity and empowering women through community engagements. She added that these services can be implemented through women empowerment, village loan saving scheme, water and sanitation activities, construction of town hall, toilets, schools, adult literacy, and empowering local farmers among others.

The first batch of graduates, she said, acquired several skills such as soap making, catering and sewing among several others in District #3, Bong County.

She disclosed that the second phase of the training will directly focus on the Kporqulleh, Jorqulleh, Jorpolu, and Bellequlleh clans, as well as Gboata, Gbonnah, Jenepleta, and Kparnyah Towns among others.

She called on the National Government and other philanthropic organizations to buttress the efforts of the group to expand the activities of the organization to all parts of Bong County instead of just operating in District#3.

The NENIKPOMA’s founder at the same time, called on citizens of District #3, particularly women and girls to take advantage of the NENIKPOMA skills training program; something she believes will improve their future.

Serving as guest speaker, Deputy Speaker J. Fonati Kofa thanked Mrs. Cole for the brilliant idea and effort in establishing NENIKPOMA and encouraged the Women to take advantage of the opportunity.

The highlight of the occasion came when the Deputy Speaker presented a brand Toyota Pick-up and two new Bajaj motorbikes to the organization through Rep. Cole to be used by the leadership for smooth operation.

The organization’s chief patron, Rep. Cole and Minister McGill presented over L$15 million in checks to the graduates from several communities in Gbarnga and towns and villages across District #3 to establish their business.

Beneficiaries of Sugar Hill Community in Gbarnga got the biggest share of the financial package- L$3 million and followed by Brooklyn Community with L$2.5 million. The women of Jenepleta, Kayata and Far East Communities were among several people that also benefited.  

Rep. Cole said the gesture was their way of buttressing his wife’s effort to empower the women become independent and contribute to the upkeep of their homes.

“Today, we are giving you this package to say bye bye to poverty,” he said. He called on the beneficiaries to use the money to transform their lives.

Minister McGill used occasion to clarify that the money used was not from the government’s coffer; but from ordinary citizens and businesses.

He disclosed that the Government through the intervention of President Weah has allocated US$2 million in the national budget for women empowerment and called on the women to form alliances and applied for grant.

“When poor women on their own do things to improve their lives, it is incumbent on the government to help them,” Minister McGill said.   

Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel Tweah who proxy for Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor pledged L$3 million on behalf of the VP to the organization. His Wife also pledged L$500,000.

Rep. Ellen Attoh Wreh (Margibi District #3) and Montserrado County District #4 Rep. Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis graced the occasion and each pledged L$100,000.

The women, thanked the Rep. Cole, Mrs. Cole and Deputy Speaker Kofa, McGill along with the officials for the support and promised to use the money for the intended purpose.