Samira Bawumia to empower 1500 deprived girls

Ghana’s Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia is confident of transforming the lives of at least 1500 deprived girls from across the country.

She expressed her commitment to combining a variety of methodologies to groom, train and provide support to afford the setting up of fashion related businesses across the country for the girls.

Through the Network for Enterprise Development through Sewing for Girls, dubbed Needles 4 Girls, girls in deprived areas with genuine interest in learning fashion design will be equipped with fashion related employable skills.

Speaking to experts in vocational training whom she had assembled at the Best Western Premier Hotel on Monday, Mrs Bawumia said “we want to empower them not only to be self-sufficient but also to fend for their families.”

Stakeholders at the meeting included officials from the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) which co-ordinates and oversees all aspects of technical and vocational education and training in the country and development partners such as the German Development Corporation (GIZ).

“We hope to engage your minds on how to structure this project to achieve the desired results and to also obtain your support in partnering with us in bringing it to fruition,” she told the experts.

“I believe in the future of this country and I wish to see our people prosper, our young ones empowered; women and children, particularly girls, the most vulnerable in our society should be supported,” Mrs Bawumia told the stakeholders at the meeting.

She reckoned the high level of unemployment among the youth with girls being the most affected and vulnerable.

“Many young women therefore seek opportunities to convert their talents and interests into viable fashion businesses,” Mrs Bawumia added.

According to her, a large pool of dressmakers and tailors exist within the industry, however what is lacking is the requisite technical and business skills required to take full advantage of the identified gap.

The fashion industry in Ghana has continued to experience flourishing growth, largely as a result of the demand for quality products by the lower, expanding middle and upper classes.

‘Needles 4 Girls’ is a flagship project under Mrs Bawumia’s Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SHEP) meant to empower young women to become self sufficient and break the cycle of poverty.