By: Nicholas Osei-Wusu
The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, ICU-Ghana, has challenged government to quicken formalization of the informal sector towards boosting the national economy for accelerated growth.
The General Secretary of the ICU, Morgan Ayawine, who made the call noted that, government’s agenda to properly formalize the economy through the adoption and promotion of digitalization is being too slow to achieve the desired results and commended the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, GHABA, for taking steps to maximize the various digital platforms in line with the fast-changing technological world.
Mr. Ayawine was addressing a durbar in Kumasi to climax the 50th Anniversary of the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association.
The Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, GHABA, as the welfare and umbrella body for all willing master craftsmen and apprentices in the hairdressing and beauty care industry, was formed in 1972 by a group of women to bring among other objectives help one another to realize their full potential in the art and science of grooming and beautification as a profession.
Over the 50-year period, GHABA has grown into an eight-thousand-member body with branches in all the16 regions and pride itself as the first such informal sector welfare body to be registered by ICU as a trades union organization.
Towards realization of its mission and vision, GHABA is constructing a Cosmetology Training Centre in Accra to provide skills and professional competence to both its members and others. Activities.
Commemorating the Golden Jubilee of the Association were decentralized with a grand durbar of stakeholders held in the Ashanti regional capital of Kumasi to climax it.
The National President of GHABA, Madam Tina Offei Yirenkyi, paid glowing tribute to particularly the founding mothers of the Association and successive leaders who have ensured that it stood the test of time.
She urged the present members to leverage on technology to remain in business.
The General Secretary of the ICU, Morgan Ayawine, was proud that the recognition given by the Union to such informal sector players as hairdressers and beauticians who are major employment creators in the economy has never been in vain.
The ICU General Secretary entreated government to quicken the pace of formalizing the economy by using technology to integrate the informal sector for accelerated national growth.
Touching on the theme of the celebration: “Acceleration of the Adoption of Digital Solution in the Hair and Beauty Industry; The Role of GHABA”, the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Akosua Fremah Osei Opare, in an address read for her disclosed that by end of next year, at least 85 per cent of men and women have financial accounts through the promotion of the government’s Digital Financial Solution policy and therefore urged members of GHABA to also leverage on the policy to remain competitive.
Her speech was read by Francisca Obeng Mensah, a Deputy Gender Minister nominee.
The Association recognized and appreciated the contribution of some individuals and organizations including the ICU for their unflinching support for GHABA during the 50-year period. Such individuals and organizations were given plaques of citation as memorabilia of the Golden Jubilee.
