{
  "id": 392088,
  "title": "Dr Hilla Limann VC charges artisans to bridge unemployment gap as GNAG pushes for tax waivers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/dr-hilla-limann-vc-charges-artisans-to-bridge-unemployment-gap-as",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-09T16:42:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/dr-hilla-limann-vc-charges-artisans-to-bridge-unemployment-gap-as-gnag-pushes-for-tax-waivers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Vice-Chancellor of Dr Hilla Limann Technical University, Prof. Eng. Hamidatu Saaka Darimani, has urged technical and vocational graduates to focus on practical skills, creativity, and character to combat youth unemployment. Speaking at the graduation ceremony for artisans at the Wa Technical Institute, she emphasized that employers value competence, creativity, and attitude over formal qualifications. Prof. Darimani cited the need for artisans to fill gaps in sectors like solar panel installation, tractor servicing, hotel construction, and clinic wiring. She herself proved this by starting a successful restaurant business from basic tools.\n\nThe graduation ceremony, the first of its kind in the Upper West Region, certified 50 individuals in fields like automotive engineering, electrical work, fashion design, furniture making, and welding. The five-year program, supported by CTVET and Germany, equips graduates with National Proficiency 1 and National Certificate 1.\n\nWhile celebrating their achievements, industry leaders warned of economic barriers. Mr Jinsung Rashid, Upper West Regional Secretary of GNAG, urged the government to exempt import taxes on advanced automotive diagnostic equipment. He explained that current diagnostic tools, crucial for modern vehicles, are often unaffordable due to high import duties, leading to poor repairs and unsafe roads. Rashid emphasized the need for tax waivers to ensure artisans can access necessary tools, thereby enhancing their skills and economic contribution.",
  "summary": "The Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University, Prof. Eng. Hamidatu Saaka Darimani, has challenged technical and vocational graduates to prioritize practical competence, creativity, and character over paper qualifications to help break the cycle of youth unemployment in the country.re",
  "key_points": [
    "Prof. Darimani urges practical skills, creativity, and character for youth unemployment.",
    "50 artisans certified in various technical fields at Wa Technical Institute graduation.",
    "GNAG leader calls for tax waivers on import duties for automotive diagnostic tools."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}