The Ghana Chamber of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities (GCED) has signed a groundbreaking agreement with key partners, including the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the National Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Osei Collective, and the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association, to empower persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the fashion industry.
The project, titled “Make Fashion Inclusive,” will provide training and employment opportunities for 100 PWDs (at least 50% women) in dressmaking and fashion design. It also aims to improve working conditions in existing female-led/owned enterprises in the fashion sector, with a focus on supporting female entrepreneurs with disabilities.
The initiative will involve the establishment of a PWD Skills Hub, equipped with the necessary tools and resources for training and production. The hub will produce ready-to-wear garments and accessories, with a focus on promoting sales both locally and internationally.
The YEA will be responsible for establishing the Skills’ Hub, while the GCED will lead initial stakeholder engagement and beneficiary mobilisation. Osei Collective will provide digital skills training, online visibility for the hub, and support in attracting buyers. Partners are expected to contribute up to 50% of the project’s total cost, with GIZ providing the remaining funds.
At a signing ceremony held at the YEA head office in Accra on Friday, September 13, 2024, Mr. Alexander Tetteh, President of the GCED, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its unprecedented nature.
“This is truly unprecedented. I’ve been involved in disability rights advocacy for over 30 years, and I haven’t witnessed such a comprehensive initiative that provides skills training and creates a platform for networking and market access for PWDs,” he stated.
Mr. Tetteh lauded GIZ and YEA for their ongoing support for PWDs in Ghana. “GIZ has supported the capacity building of chamber members to run their businesses effectively and promote financial inclusion, while YEA has employed over 200 PWDs at their district offices across the country over the past two years,” he said. He pledged the chamber’s commitment to the project’s success.
Madam Jessica Quelennec of Osei Collective emphasised the alignment of the project with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, stating their commitment to changing global perceptions of disability.
“There is a wealth of untapped talent and potential among PWDs in Ghana,” she acknowledged. “The ‘Make Fashion Inclusive’ project will go a long way in addressing this challenge.”
Mr. Wilhelm Hugo of GIZ stressed the need to include PWDs in Ghana’s economic development. “We believe there is an urgent need to take concrete steps to address the high rate of unemployment among PWDs in Ghana, and we are pleased to be signing this partnership agreement today as a first step,” he stated.
He urged the partners to maintain constant communication to effectively address any challenges that may arise during project implementation and ensure the successful achievement of its objectives.
The “Make Fashion Inclusive” initiative is part of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development’s “Decent Work for a Just Transition” programme, aimed at creating decent jobs and improving working conditions. This initiative promotes job creation and enterprise growth in Ghana and other developing countries.
According to Mr. Kofi Agyepong, CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), his organisation has been a steadfast supporter of economic empowerment for persons with disabilities in Ghana. “In Ghana today, it’s clear that there’s no better friend to persons with disabilities than the YEA,” he stated.
To create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, the YEA has implemented a structural change, establishing disability desks at all 266 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District offices across the country. This initiative aims to employ 282 persons with disabilities as district YEA officers, with 100 already employed.
Mr. Agyepong acknowledged that the GIZ initiative presents an opportunity for the YEA to further support persons with disabilities without formal education, enabling them to acquire skills for economic success.
The “Make Fashion Inclusive” initiative represents a significant step towards empowering PWDs in Ghana, providing them with opportunities for economic inclusion and a chance to reach their full potential.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
I’m person with disability, I’m thanking everyone for making this happen to support persons with disability.