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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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National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Executive Committee member and Volta River Authority (VRA) Board Member, Wonder Victor Kutor, has described calls for the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as premature and unjustified.
He argued that there was no evidence to establish that the minister had committed any wrongdoing to warrant such demands.
Speaking on Joy News in Accra on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Mr Kutor questioned what had changed to justify the growing calls for the minister to step down.
He recalled that the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, had earlier indicated that the opposition was not accusing Mr Ablakwa of any wrongdoing.
Mr Kutor, therefore, challenged those demanding the minister’s resignation to provide fresh evidence to support their position.
“The call for the Minister to resign is premature, it is untenable. There is no evidence. I mean, what has he done wrong?” he questioned.
He added that documents, including boarding passes, airline receipts and flight manifests relating to the minister’s return journey, had been provided.
Mr Kutor expressed concern that the calls for Mr Ablakwa’s resignation could discourage young politicians from speaking out against corruption and advocating transparency.
According to him, politicians should not be targeted or maligned for demanding accountability, warning that such treatment could create the impression that speaking against corruption could later become a liability when one is appointed to public office.
He maintained that calling for accountability and transparency should not be used as grounds to target public officials without evidence of wrongdoing.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana will host the Africa Festival of Arts, Culture and Creatives (AFESTAC) 2026 alongside Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA) 2026 in Accra from December 9 to 12, 2026.
On the back of these programmes, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called on corporate Ghana, the media and the general public to support the initiative through partnerships, sponsorships and active participation.
The events, supported by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), will bring together stakeholders to celebrate Africa’s rich cultural heritage, strengthen the creative economy, promote industrial skills development and create employment opportunities for young people.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
