The Central Regional President of the Ghana Hairdressers and Tailors Association has cautioned Ghanaians to stop labeling people in the dressmaking, seamstress, and tailoring professions as illiterate and unimportant in society.
According to Mr. Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, many Ghanaian parents prefer enrolling their children in secondary and tertiary education over training them in the tailoring and dressmaking business, a situation he believes must be condemned.
He stated that many Ghanaians have the misconception that those who are rejected, expelled, or school dropouts end up in these skills-based professions, which is a false notion.
Mr. Rahman encouraged parents and Ghanaians to choose dressmaking and hairdressing as viable businesses, as they often provide a higher income than traditional schooling.
He expressed his concern over why Ghanaians favor Western jobs over enrolling in seamstress and tailoring businesses.
Speaking in an interview with Kasapa News’ Yaw Boagyan during the 6th Graduation and Send-Off Service for 18 students from the Salvation Army Vocational Training Centre of Ajumako Baah in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District, the Administrator of the Ajumako Baah Salvation Army Polyclinic Hospital, Mr. Daniel Ampim Addo, said the facility has graduated 19 people from the seamstress program.
He mentioned that the training is free and advised the graduates to make good use of the training they received.
The facility provided each graduate with a sewing machine to help them start their own businesses.
He appealed to the government to support the Ajumako Baah Salvation Army Vocational Training Centre and the Polyclinic with tools and equipment.
Lastly, the District Chief Executive of the Ajumako Enyan Abaasa District, Hon. Rev. Emmanuel Ransford Kwesi Nyarkoh, urged that the District Assembly will do its best to support the Ajumako Baah Salvation Army Hospital and Church authorities for this initiative.
He stated that the Ajumako District Assembly will partner with the Salvation Army Church to ensure that the applicants improve their handicraft skills.
He advised the applicants to apply what they have learned effectively to make good use of it.
He urged the applicants not to take the sewing machines home and remain idle but to put them to good use.
Story by Yaw Boagyan