Make Africa great through your creativity — South African High Commissioner urges young fashion designers

Her Excellency Grace Mason, South African High Commissioner to Ghana has made an impassioned plea to emerging African Fashion Designers.

Speaking at the GBG Fashion and Art Show held at the German Goethe Institute in Accra on Saturday 21st October, she urged them to “Push Africa through your creativity.”

Her Excellency Grace Mason, South African High Commissioner to Ghana

"Promote the African Cultural Heritage and unity through your designs to make the Continent great,” she continued.

Her Excellency Grace Mason, who was the event's Special Guest of Honour, revealed that her mandate includes helping young African fashion talents, regardless of nationality, to "continually promote the Continent."

"The creativity the young Artists displayed brings Africans together - our Culture, Heritage, Music, and Fashion," she said.

"That is what we have to leverage. We are all one, brothers and sisters,” stressed the Diplomat. "I'm happy to see Designers continually promoting our culture, fabric, language - everything unique to being African."

Mr. Carl Ampah, UNESCO's National Professional Officer for Culture in Ghana, said the event's, theme: "Empowering African Youth Through Fashion and Culture," resonated with UNESCO's goal of nurturing creative industries, especially the fashion sector.

He noted that the fashion sector creates jobs across the value chain.

He added that Ghana's textiles "represent a significant cultural symbol that brings Ghanaians together."

Mr. Ampah encouraged designers to incorporate meaningful African motifs like the Adinkra, Ga, and Ewe symbols.

On his part, Nana Addo Kuma I, Ankobea of Ahwerase Akuapem in the Eastern region, emphasized the importance of the fashion show and Ghana’s commitment to preserving her cultural heritage.

“The way we dress as Ghanaians and Africans is beautiful, and we must continue. Every country or Continent has it's way of dressing, and we must therefore not copy blindly. I will entreat the youth to dress in our African attire to represent their country wherever they find themselves,” he said.

Creative young talents like Ms. Barbara Sintim Misa, participated with their unique fashion brands, such as the Mayflower Collection, with hand-painted portraits on the garments by Extra Fashion through exhibitions by fashion models.

Mafon, the FACE of GBG Fashion & Art Show, 2023

Some young fashion icons were honoured with the Golden Thread Awards.

The South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Grace Mason, movie star, Prince David Osei and others were also honoured for their invaluable contributions to the Art and Fashion Industry in Ghana and beyond.

In attendance were notable individuals like Mrs. Kulu, CEO of the exquisite Club Smooth, Ms. Seble Kagnew, CEO of Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant, Multiple Award-Winning Gospel Musician, Prophet Joseph Atarah, Ms. Mahlet Girma Bekele, of Expertise France, under the African Union and Ms. Bezawit Tolosa Tefera, of the Ethiopian Embassy.

Also in attendance were Rev. Cleopatra Mouiche, a seasoned Fashion Consultant and Fashion Coach, Gospel artist Anointed Michael, personalities from the Tourism Industry, and several Beauty Pageant Winners and Contestants, including Miss. Ghana and Mr. Ghana, who joined The Face of GBG Fashion and Art Show 2023, Mafon, and the other models on the runway.

Twenty African nations were represented, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Mali, Nigeria, Cameron, DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), Egypt, South Africa, and of cousre Ghana.

This auspicious event was meticulously put together by Event Management Consultant extraordinaire, Lady Pat, who received a citation for her "Exceptional Event Management Expertise."

The Event Owners acknowledged that Lady Pat had elevated their event to "unparalleled heights," through her dedication, creativity, and impeccable organisation, which had left a lasting impression on them.

The event was ably sponsored by Adonko Next Level Premium Energy Drink, Angel Cola, Angel Soft Drinks, Atlantic Mall, Ghandour Cosmetics, Victor Otem, a premium brand from DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), that specialises in men's suits, wedding gowns etc., "to help you find the garment you are missing," Hollantex textiles, Jaylis Naturals, Bel - Aqua Mineral Water, Café Vita, Café Abol, Paradiso, Beewty App, Black Secret, Beauty360 Unisex Salon, and FYNNexhibits, for their premium photography!

In all this, the major sponsor was former Nigerian Presidential Candidate, Aare Dr. Dele Momodu, popularly known as Chief Dele, the Group Chairman of Ovation Media Group, publishers of Africa's premium lifestyle publication, Ovation International Magazine.