Ghana Cooperative Fashion Designers Association seeks government support, recognistion at 4th Zonal Graduation 

The Ghana Cooperative Fashion Designers Association (GCFDA) has called on the government to prioritize the involvement of registered artisan associations in the implementation of the National Apprenticeship Programme, which is currently in its pilot phase.

Speaking during the Association’s fourth graduation ceremony in Ho, where 17 learners—16 women and one man—completed months of training under various mastercraft instructors, representatives of the GCFDA expressed full support for the government’s apprenticeship initiative but raised concerns over its pilot selection process.

“We've heard about the apprenticeship program. It has been launched. We tried to inquire, and what we were told was that they are doing piloting. As an association, we have submitted our application forms to train these individuals, but we were not selected. To the best of my knowledge, none of our members have been assigned learners to train,” a representative said.

The Association appealed to the government to collaborate directly with accredited associations to ensure fairness, accountability, and effective monitoring of the programme. They stressed that such cooperation would guarantee that qualified and experienced trainers are given the opportunity to mentor apprentices across the country.

GCFDA President, John Saho, expressed concern over the declining interest of young men in apprenticeship training. He lamented that many young men prefer to “roam about” instead of learning a trade, calling on them to take advantage of structured training opportunities.

Mr. Saho further noted that government programmes like the National Apprenticeship Programme would achieve better results if routed through established associations such as the GCFDA, which already have systems in place for supervision and professional development.

To encourage more participation, the Association has begun engaging technical and secondary schools, especially those offering TVET courses, to encourage students to pursue fashion and tailoring apprenticeships upon graduation. Mr. Saho explained that the Association provides additional “polishing” and mentorship for its trainees, ensuring they remain within the cooperative’s network for continuous support.

Vice President of the Association, Mr. Wilson Amos Agblemor, commended the graduates for their dedication and resilience, noting that their journey had been “marked by unity and divine grace.” He praised the mentors for their commitment and encouraged the graduates to maintain professionalism in their work.

“Customer relationship is the best,” he said, urging them to treat clients with respect and build lasting relationships to sustain their businesses.

The Association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government efforts to enhance skills development and entrepreneurship, emphasizing that stronger collaboration between the state and accredited artisan bodies would help produce a skilled, self-reliant workforce and strengthen Ghana’s apprenticeship ecosystem.