YEA and GIZ Launch ‘Make Fashion Inclusive’ Hub in Kumasi to Empower 100 Persons with Disabilities
The Youth Employment Agency (YEA), in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), has officially launched the “Make Fashion Inclusive” Hub in Kumasi — a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower 100 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) through practical training in fashion and dressmaking.
Empowerment Through Fashion
The newly commissioned training center seeks to uplift the lives of individuals with physical disabilities by equipping them with skills in sewing, beading, embroidery, and millinery. The goal is to transform them into skilled artisans and self-reliant entrepreneurs.
“This hub isn’t just about teaching fashion — it’s about restoring dignity, boosting economic independence, and ensuring inclusion for all,” said Malik Basintale, CEO of the Youth Employment Agency. “Inclusion is not charity; it’s a right.”
From the Streets to Skill-Based Livelihoods
For many of the beneficiaries, this program offers a lifeline. Elizabeth Emmanuella Nimoh, National Secretary of the Association of the Physically Disabled, praised the initiative for helping move individuals off the streets and into self-sustaining professions.
“Some of our brothers and sisters used to beg for survival. Today, they are being trained to build a future they can be proud of,” she said.
However, she highlighted challenges such as high transportation costs, especially for wheelchair users coming from distant districts. Mr. Basintale assured that such feedback is crucial and that the Agency is committed to providing support where needed.
A Model for Nationwide Inclusion
The Kumasi hub is only the beginning. The “Make Fashion Inclusive” program is part of a broader national plan to replicate similar centers across the country, ensuring more persons with disabilities have access to skills training and employment.
The project is being implemented by YEA in partnership with OSEI COLLECTIVE, Escape Poverty (EP) Africa, and the Ghana Chamber of Entrepreneurs with Disability (GCED). It is supported under the “Invest for Jobs” initiative by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through GIZ.
This initiative reflects a bold step toward inclusive economic empowerment, proving that when given the right tools, every Ghanaian — regardless of ability — can thrive.
