First Lady supports artisans in Tano South

The First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama, has extended her support to artisans in the Tano South District in the Brong Ahafo Region.

She presented equipment and tools to some artisans in the area to enhance their work.

Some students on the Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) programme in the area also received training kits for their respective areas of training.

The various associations of the artisans, including hairdressers, masons, barbers, tailors, beauticians, designers, carpenters and masons, received the items on behalf of their members.

The items included electric sewing machines, embroidery machines,  hair dryers, pedicure machines, barbering machines and accessories and building construction tools.

Promoting skills training

At a durbar to receive the items, Mrs Mahama said the presentation formed part of the Lordina Foundation's objective to promote entrepreneurship and skills training among the youth in the country.

She said young persons needed to be inspired and encouraged to explore and exploit their potential in the art and creative industry which had vast range of opportunities yet to be exploited.  

As a developing economy, the First Lady pointed out that inventive minds to create, build, explore and export ideas were essential in making the industry a major driving force of the country's quest for industrial and economic development.

In an era where unemployment was high, Mrs Mahama said, the thriving factors were for the youth to critically think, be innovative and take positive approach towards the changing world.

Through vocational and technical training, she said, creativity and innovation could contribute to economic prosperity, as well as social and individual wellbeing in Ghana.

"We need to inspire young designers and others in the [design] industry to develop their immense creative potential and help the industry to understand its role in the growth of the economy," the First Lady said.

Modern trends

Mrs Mahama further urged tailors, hairdressers and others in industry to adapt to modern trends in the industry because it had undergone changes due to new technology.

The Member of Parliament for  Tano South, Dr Hannah Bissiaw, who is also a Deputy Minister of Agriculture, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for the donation and for promoting skills training in the area.