In June 2022, International Needs Ghana begun implementing a unique 12-month Fashion Training Programme to advance and mentor aspiring fashion professionals and promote self-agency on Sexual and Reproductive Health. Fashion Expressions was implemented in partnership with UNFPA, and the PRADA Group, a reputable player in the fashion industry.
In the maiden edition of the series on Fashion Expressions dubbed; The STORIES THEY WEAR, two of the Project beneficiaries share their stories.
PAMELA’S DREAM IS ON COURSE
“After Senior High School (SHS) all hopes were lost. I lost my mum at age 13 and support to push me beyond SHS was not forthcoming. I had to hawk on the streets to eke a living and cater for my younger brother.
In the midst of the gloom, came the Fashion Expressions Project; which has given me cause to start dreaming again”.
It took her less than five minutes for 22 year-old Pamela Afatsawo to make a great impression on the INGH team to shortlist her for the final round of selection to the Fashion Expressions Project.
Her drawing, confidence, and style marked her out as a budding Fashion Designer.
Pamela and her colleagues began their journey with a six-month intensive training at INGH’s vocational training centre, the Centre for Empowerment and Enterprise Development (CEED) at Adidome. At the end of the training, she was adjudged the trainee with exceptional leadership skills.
Pamela, an old student of Keta Business College, was assigned to Poqua Poqu, a ready-to-wear women’s clothing line in Accra for a six-month industrial attachment. She admits she has received extensive training and exposure which has boosted her confidence that her dream was on course. She fondly speaks about career development seminars she attended through which she interacted with giants in the fashion industry.
Pamela has been hired by Poqua Poqu and in the next weeks, will begin a course to fine-tune her pattern drafting skills.
Pamela reflects on her life’s journey with strong emotions and ambition to reach the top of her career and help as many needy girls as she possibly can.
READY TO MAKE A MARK AS A FASHION DESIGNER
“The six months’ intensive industrial attachment has broadened my scope and made me skillful. My sewing and human relations skills has improved drastically. I can confidently say that I have been empowered and I am poised to also create a fashion school to impact the lives of young girls in my community and beyond”
23-year-old Asiyatu Niandou Osman, the third of a family of eight looks into the future with great hope as she looks forward to make a mark in her fashion career.
Her pursuit of education was truncated by financial constraints. Asiya notes that after completion of Senior High School in 2017, there was no hope of moving any further.
After some years at home not knowing what to do, a friend recommended the Fashion Centre at Ussher Polyclinic to her.
An opportunity to hone her skills in Fashion came aboard the Fashion Expressions Project after she was selected alongside three colleagues.
On the Fashion Expressions Project, she was attached to Sadia Sanusi for the industrial attachment.