The Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Wilfred Ochan, has called on Ghanaians to take pride in their national heritage and consciously patronise made-in-Ghana products and services.
That, he said, would help to boost the economy of the country and also enhance the operations of indigenous firms to become globally competitive.
Speaking to the media at a fashion show organised by International Needs Ghana in Accra, Mr Ochan underlined the need for Ghanaians to have confidence in locally manufactured products and patronize them because they were of the same quality as those imported from other countries.
He indicated that patronising clothes designed and made by Ghanaians will go a long way to support small and medium enterprises in the fashion industry.
The show was to climax a one-year intensive training in fashion for 18 young women from less privileged backgrounds.
The 18 trainees are beneficiaries of the Fashions Expressions Project which seeks to provide vulnerable young women with employable skills in fashion.
The project is being implemented by International Needs Ghana in partnership with UNFPA and the PRADA Group.
The Fashion Expressions Project which is being piloted in Ghana and Kenya, aims to leverage the socio-economic power of fashion as a vehicle to promote women’s empowerment.
The Executive Director of International Needs Ghana, Cromwell Awadey, expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would make a good livelihood with their skills.
He said the project seeks to advance and mentor aspiring fashion professionals as well as equip them with the necessary tools.