Accra: The Wesoamo Foundation, a fashion training institution in Wa, has graduated its second cohort of apprentices with a call on them to approach their work with discipline, dedication, and commitment to enable them to succeed in the fashion industry.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms Scholastica Soyeh, the Proprietress of the Foundation, made the call during the passing-out ceremony in Wa. She also urged the graduates to uphold creativity, patience, and passion as essential tools in their professional journey. A total of five female apprentices were presented with certificates as masters of the trade after successfully completing three years of intensive training in smock garment stitching, design, and fabrication.
Ms Soyeh encouraged the graduates not to abandon the skills they had acquired in pursuit of other activities that would not advance their careers. 'You have worked hard, learned the craft, and now you are ready to take the job in the fashion world. Your skills in stitching, designing, and creating beautiful garments will surely make you stand out', she said. The Proprietress also encouraged young girls to acquire at least one vocational skill before marriage, explaining that economic self-reliance enhanced dignity and improved family welfare.
She commended the instructors for their dedication and commitment in nurturing the apprentices over the three years, as well as parents and guardians for their financial and moral support. The Foundation graduated 24 females during its maiden ceremony, while the current cohort initially comprised 20 trainees, but was reduced to seven, with only five eventually graduating. She attributed the high dropout rate to financial difficulties, particularly challenges related to feeding and basic upkeep. 'I accommodate them at my residence, so they stay there and feed themselves. So, one of their biggest challenges is feeding. Most of them leave because they don't have food to feed themselves. Some of them, due to that, must follow men, get pregnant in the process, and cannot complete', Ms Soyeh lamented.
She appealed to individuals and organisations to support her free vocational training initiative aimed at equipping vulnerable girls with employable skills in smock weaving. In a remark, Naa Alhassan Adam, Sumbale Naa, who chaired the ceremony, advised the graduates to take advantage of opportunities within the smock industry, particularly following the government's declaration of 'Fugu Day', to improve their lot. He noted that the smock fabric had gained international recognition, expanding the market beyond Ghana, which had presented an opportunity for them to advance that industry.
Mr Cyril Tang of the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service, Upper West Region, also encouraged the graduates to take their work seriously. He stressed that as skilled artisans, their income would depend on their level of commitment and productivity. Mr Tang also advised them to leverage social media platforms to market their products and acquire new skills to remain competitive in the evolving fashion industry.