The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has honored Matilda Amissah, the founder of Matamiss Pottery, as the 2024 Women Icon at the Greater Accra Regional Exhibition.

Ms. Amissah was presented with a special citation and gifts in recognition of her dedication, passion, and hard work in the manufacturing and export of ceramics, which have helped promote Ghana's cultural heritage internationally.

In addition to her craftsmanship, Ms. Amissah was celebrated for empowering her community by training youth and single mothers in pottery, fostering skills development and economic independence.

The event, held on Thursday, November 28, at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, featured a brief yet memorable ceremony. It was attended by notable figures, including Director of Finance at GEPA, Bernice Ampofo Armah, Economist at the Research Department of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Rita Kumah and Senior Commercial Officer at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Madam Grace Nettey.

Guests were entertained by musical performances from Kwan Pa, who performed popular Ghanaian songs such as Yen Ara Asaase Ni and Oman Ye Wo Dea, much to the audience's delight.

Renowned poet Nana Asaase also graced the occasion, delivering a heartfelt poem in honor of Ms Amissah, which was met with loud applause. 

Achievements

The CEO of GEPA, Osafohene Dr Afua Asabea Asare I, in a speech delivered on her behalf by the Director of Finance, Bernice Ampofo Armah, highlighted that the Women Icons Regional Exhibition serves as a platform to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women whose creativity and dedication have a lasting impact on their communities.

Dr Asare emphasized that GEPA is committed to positioning Ghana as a global leader in non-traditional exports. She further noted that the creative arts sector, including pottery, has significant potential to contribute to this vision.

"Today, we shine a light on one such individual, Ms Matilda Amissah, a trailblazer in Ghana's art and craft sector and an inspiration to countless women entrepreneurs. Ms Amissah's passion for pottery is not just about creating functional and decorative art." 

"It is about including women in trade, presering the Ghanaian heritage, fostering creativity and building sustainable livelihoods for many. You are not just an icon for women but a beacon of hope for all Ghanaian entrepreneurs seeking to make their mark in the world," she said.

"Today, as we celebrate you, we also commit to continuing GEPA's support for women-owned businesses through initiatives like the Women Icons Regional Exhibition. This programme is part of our national export development strategy, which prioritizes empowering women as catalyst for economic transformation," she added.

Ms Amissah's journey

When given the opportunity to speak, Ms Amissah shared her inspiring journey, from humble beginnings in 1996 to becoming a recognized figure in the Ghanaian export industry.

Ms Amissah, 67, who hails from Moree in the Central Region, recounted a story of resilience and hope, starting with street hawking and eventually founding Matamiss Enterprise, a pottery production and export company based in Tema.

She spoke of losing her parents at age 17, which led her to start street hawking to support herself. She worked as a petty trader in clothes and food crops, migrated to Nigeria, and later moved to the United Kingdom in search of better opportunities.

Upon returning to Ghana, she stumbled upon the pottery business and with a passion for innovation, savings and hard work, she established Matamiss Pottery. Today, the company is a globally recognized name in the manufacturing and export of pottery products.

"If anyone had told me that I would be standing here today to receive this honor, I would never have believed it. For someone like me, to have the chance to stand before you and share my story is something I never dreamed of," she said.

Advise

She encouraged Ghanaians, especially young women, to explore the export sector, describing it as a thriving industry that can help address many of the country’s economic challenges.

Ms. Amissah highlighted that careers in pottery, crafting, painting, beading, and design present significant opportunities for addressing unemployment and economic difficulties. She urged the youth to consider these fields as viable career paths.

"One thing I've noticed in my export business is that international markets, particularly the Western world, love Ghanaian products, no matter how they are crafted. I encourage the youth to get involved in export because it's a rewarding business. Participate in every activity offered by GEPA, such as exhibitions and training," she said.

Ms Amissah also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority for their unwavering support, which has been instrumental in helping her reach the pinnacle of her career.