228 Women Complete GHAWAL Apprenticeship in Upper West, Ghana

A total of 228 young women have graduated from apprenticeship programs in hand weaving and leatherwork, organized by the Ghana Association of Weavers and Leather Workers (GHAWAL), in Wa, Upper West region. The passing-out ceremony highlighted the importance of skills development in empowering women and preserving Ghana's cultural heritage.

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The ceremony marked more than the completion of a training programme, describing it as a celebration of determination, creativity, cultural identity and economic empowerment.

Government officials, including the Wa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Nura Danwana, stressed that investing in vocational skills is vital for the nation's future prosperity. He commended GHAWAL and the Centre for National Culture for their efforts in standardizing artisan training, which helps maintain traditional crafts while equipping trainees for the modern economy.

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Investing in vocational skills was an investment in the nation’s future prosperity.

Mr. Danwana reaffirmed the government's dedication to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), entrepreneurship, and apprenticeship programs to boost youth employment. He pointed to the recent groundbreaking for a modern TVET institute in the Wa West District as evidence of this commitment. The MCE emphasized that weaving and leatherwork are not just cultural activities but also viable economic ventures capable of creating jobs and strengthening local industries.

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Their efforts are helping to preserve traditional crafts while equipping trainees with the skills needed to compete in a modern economy.

Initiatives under the government's Reset Agenda, such as the 24-Hour Economy and the Made-in-Ghana Public Procurement Policy, are expected to benefit artisan groups and women-led businesses. These include incentives like lower electricity tariffs, tax relief, and access to financial support. The proposed National Women's Bank is also set to provide affordable credit. Graduates were encouraged to embrace innovation and digital marketing to expand their market reach.

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Artisan groups and cooperatives are expected to benefit from incentives such as lower electricity tariffs, tax relief and access to financial support.