German Development Cooperation, partners launch ‘Signs of Success’ Project

The German Development Cooperation in collaboration with DTRT Apparel and the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), has officially launched the Signs of Success project in Accra.

The initiative aims to expand inclusive employment opportunities in Ghana’s textile and apparel sector by equipping 220 persons with hearing impairment with practical skills in garment factory equipment operations.

Up to 200 trainees are expected to transition into full-time employment at DTRT’s production facilities in Accra and Tema.

The project is supported by the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” which operates under ‘Invest for Jobs’, an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in close cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness & Industry (MoTAI).

Speaking at the launch event, Team leader for Invest for Jobs at GIZ Ghana, Mr. John Duti, highlighted the value of inclusive employment and the potential of Ghana’s textile and apparel sector in driving sustainable job creation.

He noted that “the Signs of Success project offers a practical response to addressing exclusion while advancing global and national commitments to disability inclusion.”

Mr. Duti reaffirmed German Development Cooperation’s continued support for initiatives that expand access to opportunities and promote inclusive economic development.

Executive Director of GNAD, Mr. Juventus Duorinaah, praised the collaboration as a model for disability-inclusive development, highlighting the importance of partnerships that are responsive to the lived experiences of deaf persons in Ghana.

“This collaboration attests to the strong ability of persons with hearing impairment to make significant contributions to the economic development of the country.

He also thanked the German Development Cooperation for their sustained effort in ensuring that the project is finally implemented.

The Signs of Success project is aligned with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) policy marker on the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, introduced by BMZ in 2024.

It also contributes to broader global commitments under the Amman-Berlin Declaration on Global Disability Inclusion, which calls for at least 15 per cent of country-level development programmes to integrate disability inclusion as a specific objective.

Salma Salifu, Managing Director of Dignity DTRT, delivered a powerful message about equality and respect in business during the event.

According to her, the company's name "DTRT" stands for "Do The Right Thing," reflecting their core values of treating people with dignity and respect.

Salma Salifu emphasized that Dignity DTRT values the importance of how people treat those around them, believing that every individual has a purpose. The company respects, appreciates, and provides opportunities to everyone, regardless of their abilities. Salifu stated, "We believe each and every one on earth has a purpose... We respect, we appreciate, and we give the opportunity to everyone who comes into our family."

Dignity DTRT prioritises treating its workers with respect and providing for their needs. Salifu highlighted that the company provides a meal a day, transportation to and from work, and due respect to every worker. Moreover, the company is committed to inclusivity, welcoming people with disabilities into their family as they expand.

Salifu expressed gratitude to their development partners and witnesses of the program, assuring them that Dignity DTRT will continue to treat them with respect and do the right thing.

Present at the event were the CEO of DTRT Apparel, Mr. Wasantha Perera, representatives from the Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness & Industry, Textile and Garment unit and other stakeholders.