Mr. Samuel Ananga (3rd L) with other dignitaries at the GHAWAL conference
The General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), Ghana, Brother Morgan Ayawine, has urged members of the Ghana Association of Weavers and Leather Workers (GHAWAL) to position themselves for mass production of smock materials to meet growing local and international demand.
He said the smock has moved from the background of the woven cloth industry, where it was largely associated with the cultural traditions of the five northern regions, to assume international recognition.
Brother Ayawine said this in a keynote address delivered by Deputy General Secretary in charge of Administration, Samuel Ananga, at the First National Conference of GHAWAL held at the Wa Senior High School in the Upper West Region.
The conference was on the theme “Weaving for Future: Empowering Artisans for National Growth.
He said smock material, which was previously associated mainly with traditional wear, is now being used for gowns, frocks, skirts, tops and ‘pata-pata’, and has become popular enough to be recognised as Wednesday wear in the country.
“This development presents a tremendous opportunity for you, our great smock weavers. You must therefore seize the moment,” he told the weavers.
Brother Ayawine urged the Association to project itself positively and strategically to attract investment and government support for the formalisation, modernisation and expansion of the smock weaving industry.
He said the ultimate objective should be to increase production, improve quality, expand markets and maximise economic benefits to artisans and their communities.
He noted that there is already a pathway to the international market for African textiles under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and urged GHAWAL to work with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and other institutions to meet international standards.
“What is required is a deliberate and coordinated effort to improve product quality, packaging, branding, marketing and access to finance, while also equipping artisans with the appropriate technical and entrepreneurial skills,” he said.
He assured GHAWAL of ICU-Ghana’s leadership in projecting the industries as important contributors to employment creation, poverty reduction and economic advancement.
“Let this Conference mark the beginning of a new chapter in which artisans are empowered, businesses are strengthened, decent employment is created and Ghanaian craftsmanship is promoted to the world,” he added.
A Business Desk Report