Madam Catherine B.K. Hesse, the Upper West Regional Officer of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), has called on the government to support local weavers by establishing a thread production factory in the Upper West Region.
Delivering a speech at a graduation ceremony for 230 weavers who completed their training under the Ghana Weavers Association (GHAWA), she highlighted the economic potential of the weaving industry, stressing that local production of weaving materials, such as threads, would significantly reduce costs and boost profits for artisans.
The event which was attended by regional executives of the ICU, traditional leaders, and representatives from the Ghana Weavers Association accommodated people drawn from various communities in the Upper West and Savannah regions, to undergo intensive training in traditional weaving techniques under the guidance of experienced masters.
Madam Hesse commended their dedication and emphasized that their skills would contribute to reducing unemployment and preserving Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
“This is no small achievement,” she stated. “Despite the challenges facing the industry, you have persevered, and today, we celebrate your hard work and determination. The ICU remains committed to supporting the Ghana Weavers Association to ensure that it continues to thrive as the foremost weavers’ body in Ghana.”
“If the government can help set up a thread production factory here in the Upper West Region, it will create jobs, reduce our dependence on imported materials, and make our traditional cloth more competitive,” she noted.
In her closing remarks, Madam Hesse encouraged the new weavers to remain innovative and adapt to modern trends while preserving the authenticity of Ghanaian weaving.
She also urged associations and institutions in Ghana and abroad to patronize locally woven fabrics, assuring them of high-quality products, following her remarks the graduates also expressed gratitude for the training and pledged to use their skills to uplift their communities.
