The Executive Director of Africa Youth Centre for Development (AFRI Youth), Mr. Mohammed Gadafi Mandeya, has called for urgent measures to revitalise and strengthen the local weaving industry in northern Ghana. His appeal, made during a multi-stakeholder engagement forum in Tamale, aims to reduce the economic vulnerabilities faced by women and girls in the region.
Empowering Women Through Weaving
The forum, organised by AFRI Youth in collaboration with the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana) and supported by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), aimed to empower 500 young girls in the Northern Region. The initiative, titled “Empowering Women on Weaving for Economic Growth,” provides training, capacity building, mentorship, digital marketing, and business development support to young girls engaged in weaving.
Mr. Mandeya emphasised the potential of the weaving industry as a promising source of livelihood for many young girls in the region. He highlighted how weaving has helped reduce rural-urban migration. However, he acknowledged that many women still face significant barriers that prevent them from fully benefiting from the industry.
Challenges Faced by Women in Weaving
Mr. Mandeya pointed out that while weaving was traditionally a male-dominated industry, a recent survey found that nearly 20,000 women were involved in weaving in the Tamale and Sagnarigu Municipalities alone. However, these women lack the support and resources necessary to maximise the potential of this craft. He urged government agencies, civil society organisations, NGOs, and philanthropists to prioritise investments in the weaving sector as a means of promoting women’s economic empowerment.
Gender-Sensitive Policies and Technological Investments
Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed, Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana, stressed the importance of gender-sensitive policies that address the specific challenges women face in accessing economic opportunities. She explained that a well-supported and thriving weaving industry could significantly reduce rural-urban migration by offering viable livelihoods within rural communities.
Alhaji Salifu Yussif, President of the Smock Weavers and Sellers Association, echoed the need for increased technological investment to modernise operations in the weaving sector. He also emphasised the importance of providing training opportunities for women and girls, along with sustained support to help them establish and maintain their businesses. “Without the means to start on their own, many women return to urban centres,” he said.
Creating Sustainable Economic Opportunities
The forum served as a platform for exploring strategies to promote the weaving industry, create sustainable markets for weavers, and provide support for suppliers and designers of weaving materials. Participants expressed optimism that with the right policies and financial backing, the weaving industry could become a key driver of inclusive and sustainable development in northern Ghana.
AFRI Youth’s broader mission to create sustainable economic opportunities through entrepreneurship and capacity development was evident in the discussions. The forum highlighted the potential of the weaving industry to empower women and contribute to the region’s economic growth, ensuring a better future for young girls and women across northern Ghana.
