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15 Young Ladies Benefit from Skills Training in Fashion
Fifteen young ladies interested and passionate about fashion have benefitted from a skills training programme organised last weekend at Page Centre, Sakaman in Accra.
The two-day intensive training, aimed at enhancing the fashion skills of the ladies, was organised by Upward Motion Foundation (UMF), a youth-led nonprofit organisation in Ghana, with sponsorship from Suwaa Couture, a fashion brand in Ghana.
The young ladies had the opportunity to learn creative techniques in beading, cord applique, lace work, cup chain, and fabric manipulation that will take their designs to the next level.
In an interview with The Spectator, the founder of UMF, Ms Ubalda Mensah, a young, visionary lady passionate about girl’s empowerment and quality education, explained that many young people enter apprenticeship programmes to learn vocational skills but often have to pay extra to acquire the added competencies that truly set them apart. Hence, the goal of UMF is to bridge that gap.
“We aim to equip young women with advanced, practical skills that elevate the training they already have, empowering them to stand out confidently in their chosen fields and become exceptional in their craft,” she said.
Ms Mensah, who is also a ‘Diana Award Recipient’ and head of school for Trenor Training Institute, added that “this initiative falls under one of UMF’s flagship programmes, ‘The Girls’ Future,’ and is held once or twice each year. This is the third edition of the initiative and marks the second location of the Fashion Enhancement Project,” she added.
She thanked the participants for showing so much commitment in the training.
“These are skills people usually pay for, yet today, we are giving this training for free because we believe in your potential,” she noted, adding that “what you learn here can open doors, build confidence, and even create income opportunities.”
Ms Mensah also advised them to make the most of the skills they have acquired, practise consistently, for “I trust that you are capable of building something beautiful from the skills you develop today.”
A creative designer from Suwaa Couture, Ms Adriana Opoku, said, “We are truly excited to be part of this programme, and giving back in this way means a lot to us.”
According to her, fashion is a full industry with endless opportunities. “Even the skills being learnt this weekend alone can become a source of income, whether or not you know how to sew a full outfit yet. Take this seriously, keep practising, and don’t underestimate how far these skills can take you,” she emphasised.
Upward Motion Foundation is focused on empowering young girls, women, and children in rural communities through skills training, educational support, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.
The first edition of the training was successfully delivered in Winneba last month. So far, 30 ladies have been trained in skills to enhance their fashion skills, with the next edition being planned to take place in Swedru. Further training will be organised for about 15 to 20 more ladies.
The Diana Award is an award given in honour of Princess Diana from the United Kingdom (UK) to young people all over the world who are championing change.
By Spectator Reporter
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About 200 company secretaries, governance professionals and institutional leaders will gather in Accra for the ‘Company Secretaries Summit’ next month.
It is aimed at strengthening governance practices and enhance boardroom effectiveness across the country.
The summit, which is scheduled for July 16 at the Labadi Beach Hotel seeks to equip governance professionals with the knowledge, skills, and networks required to navigate the increasingly complex demands of modern corporate leadership.
It will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focusing on emerging governance trends, boardroom dynamics, regulatory compliance, digital transformation, and stakeholder expectations.
According to the convener, Catherine Engmann, the summit comes at a critical time when governance professionals are under growing pressure to support sound decision-making, strengthen governance culture, and respond effectively to changing institutional and regulatory environments.
“This gathering is not just another conference. It is a platform for governance leaders who are already operating at the highest level and intend to stay there,” she said.
She noted that the programme was designed to provide participants with practical tools, fresh insights, and valuable professional connections.
According to Ms Engmann, a major highlight of the event will be the awards ceremony, which will recognise individuals and organisations that have demonstrated excellence in governance practice and made significant contributions to improving board effectiveness and corporate accountability.
She mentioned that the summit will also offer participants an opportunity to benchmark their practices against industry standards, exchange ideas with peers, and explore innovative approaches to governance challenges.
Beyond the formal sessions, the event is expected to foster networking and collaboration among governance professionals, helping to strengthen governance practices across Ghana’s corporate and institutional landscape.
Speaking about the vision behind the initiative, Ms Engmann, said the summit was inspired by the need to create a dedicated platform that recognises the critical role played by company secretaries and governance professionals.
According to her, the Company Secretaries’ Summit and Awards reflects her conviction that Ghana’s governance professionals deserve an annual platform where they can engage in meaningful discussions, build strategic relationships, and receive recognition for their contributions to effective governance.
Registration for the summit, she said was currently open, with interested professionals encouraged to secure their participation ahead of the event.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
-1 cup dried soya beans
-4–5 cups for water (for blending)
-Extra water for soaking
-Sugar, honey or dates (optional, for sweetness)
-Vanilla extract (optional)
Preparation
-Pick through the beans to remove stones or damaged seeds and rinse thoroughly
-Place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water. Soak for at least eight hours or overnight to soften it to blend easier
– After soaking, rub the beans with your hands as the skin begins to remove
– Removing the skins helps reduce the ‘beany’ taste and improves texture
– Put the soaked beans into a blender with 4–5 cups of clean water
-Blend until smooth and milky. (You may need to do this in batches depending on your blender size).
– Using a clean muslin cloth or fine sieve, strain the blended mixture into a pot. (Squeeze well to extract as much liquid as possible).
-The leftover pulp is called okara. Don’t throw it away — it can be used in baking, porridge, or even added to stews.
– Place the strained milk on medium heat and make it boil. Stir continuously to prevent burning or overflowing.
– Allow it to boil for at least 20–25 minutes. Proper boiling removes the raw taste and neutralises natural compounds that can upset the stomach.
-Once boiled a little sugar or honey. Pulse.gh
Health benefits of Soya beans
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