1,500 Ashanti Region master craft artisans graduate

Ttotal of 1,500 master craft persons and artisans in the Ashanti Region have graduated after successfully undergoing Precision Quality at Work training under the auspices of the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), Ghana’s leading private TVET institution.

The training formed part of the DTI/Mastercard Foundation project phase II initiative aimed at training highly skilled, quality-driven artisans poised to redefine the role of the informal sector in Ghana’s economy.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the welding, fashion, hospitality and automobile industries, among others, and are expected to apply precision and quality in every task, no matter how big or small.

Additionally, they will mentor apprentices and inspire them to adopt the same high-quality standards, embrace innovation and technology to enhance productivity, as well as build customer trust through reliability, accountability and integrity.

Backbone

Addressing the ceremony at the Prempeh Assembly Hall, the Founder and President, DTI, Constance Swaniker, said the informal sector was vast, employing millions of citizens and serving as the backbone of everyday economic activity.

Despite the size, she said the sector had long been characterised by challenges, including inconsistent standards, low productivity and limited integration into formal economic systems for the nation’s benefit.

She stated that it was precisely why the precision quality at work initiative was conceived, stressing, “It is a bold response to the urgent need for our artisans to be competitive in a global marketplace.

“This will enable them to deliver products and services that meet world-class standards and to operate with the professionalism and integrity that the Ghanaian identity demands.” 

Ambassadors of quality

She said with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, the training had provided beneficiaries with more than just a technical know-how, as they had also acquired the tools, mindset and discipline to become ambassadors of quality in their respective trades.

“By integrating your enterprises into the larger economy through business registration, access to finance, compliance with standards and continuous upskilling, we are not just elevating individual businesses, but rather we are building an economy that is competitive, inclusive and sustainable,” Ms Swaniker said.

She implored the beneficiaries that every product they craft and service that they deliver was a reflection of both their personal and Ghanaian brand.

Critical role

The Project Coordinator, DTI, Mohit Sharma, expressed delight that about 90 per cent of the beneficiaries were women, underscoring the critical role women play in the nation’s informal sector.

“Precision quality, standardisation, customer centrality and focus and business expansion are essential for the success of businesses, considering the hyper-competitive world of business,” he said.

He added that now products and services did not compete locally alone but globally as well, and, therefore, indicated that “formalising businesses will enable such firms to have access to many available opportunities to grow.”

In an interview with some of the beneficiaries, they underscored the importance of the training, as it would go a long way to enhance their work by enabling them to deliver products and services to meet the expectations of their clients.

One of the beneficiaries and a food processor, Grace Addo, said the training had impacted her business positively, as she understood the importance of customer feedback, saying,

“Now I do not joke with the feedback from my customers as it continues to shape my business.”

Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh