The Eastern Regional Centre for National Culture, in collaboration with Eastern Aqua Mineral Water, the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA), and the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association (GNTDA), has organised a skills training and empowerment programme aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and supporting member welfare.
Held in the New Juaben North Municipality, the initiative focused on equipping participants with practical skills while highlighting the importance of Ghana’s craft industry.
The event was held under the theme: “Developing Entrepreneurial Skills and Exposing the Relevance of Ghana’s Craft Industry.”
The programme brought together key stakeholders and dignitaries, including Madam Agnes Nyarko of the Centre for National Culture in New Juaben North, Eastern Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture Madam Dorcas Salamatu Alhassan, Human Resource Officer for Eastern Aqua Mineral Water Madam Doris Gyasi, fashion and design facilitators Abigail Amoateng, Maria Odametey, and Eunice Nyamekye Asamah, Bigstuffmediagh ,among others.
Addressing participants, Madam Agnes Nyarko emphasised that the month of March is dedicated to celebrating and promoting Ghanaian culture. She noted that such initiatives are designed to showcase the country’s rich heritage through crafts, fashion, and other creative expressions that can position Ghana on the global stage.
She explained that equipping trainees with practical knowledge in handmade crafts and creative skills is essential for economic independence.
According to her, developing these skills enables individuals to tap into market opportunities and generate income while contributing to national development.
Madam Nyarko further urged Ghanaians to take pride in locally made products, stressing that patronising indigenous crafts will not only preserve cultural identity but also create employment opportunities and help reduce unemployment.
She encouraged citizens to embrace Ghanaian culture fully by wearing traditional attire, eating local dishes, and appreciating the country’s heritage.
In her remarks, the Eastern Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, Madam Dorcas Salamatu Alhassan, highlighted the need for Ghanaians to respect, practise, and promote their culture wherever they find themselves.
She commended participants and facilitators for their impressive displays in areas such as cosmetology, tie and dye, and fashion design.
Madam Alhassan also stressed the growing importance of skills training, describing it as a practical pathway to employment and economic empowerment.
She noted that acquiring hands-on skills can be more beneficial than relying solely on academic qualifications without practical expertise.
She therefore encouraged participants to value and build on the skills they have acquired, adding that such training can open doors to opportunities both locally and internationally.
The Human Resource Officer for Eastern Aqua Mineral Water, Madam Doris Gyasi, also underscored the significance of skills development. She advised participants to actively apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve their livelihoods and expand their career prospects.
Facilitators at the event expressed satisfaction with the programme and urged participants to take skills training seriously to avoid unemployment and overdependence on others. They noted that such initiatives provide a platform for both trainers and learners to explore and develop their talents.
They, however, appealed to government and stakeholders to increase support for similar programmes.
According to them, adequate funding and resources are crucial to ensuring effective training and achieving the desired outcomes.
Overall, the programme reinforced the importance of skills development, cultural promotion, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of Ghana’s socio-economic growth