One-Stop Jewelry Unit For UEW
Modern Ghana, Ghana
An all-in-one Jewelry Department will soon be established at the College of Technology of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), as the authorities have been given the green light for its establishment.
The university authorities are currently collaborating with the board of Development and Dimensions Limited (DDL), a local limited liability company, for the take-off of the department as part of the on-going educational reforms to equip school leavers with skills.
The unit will also add value to Ghana’s rich solid minerals.
According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the university and DDL, funds would soon be sourced to set up a Business Incubator Centre for the training of youth in jewelry production and a complete department for the manufacture and repair of ornaments.
The multi-billion cedi department would be located at the Kumasi Campus of the University.
The MoU, dated 17th August 2007 and signed by Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, Vice-Chancellor of UEW and Joseph Kojo Arthur, CEO of DDL, noted that courses have already been designed for students with varying levels of experience, starting from the current Senior Secondary School (SSS).
An initial 6-month certificate programme has a packed course content, including gem stone setting, casting, soldering, alloy technologies, finishing, science, mathematics, entrepreneurship and communication skills.
In an interview with CITY AND BUSINESS GUIDE, Mr. Arthur said the essence of establishing the unit is to train the youth to tap the virtually barren areas of jewelry, create jobs for themselves and generate more wealth for the nation.
He noted that less than five per cent of the country’s jewels is processed in Ghana, and lamented that a whopping 95 per cent is exported in the raw state.
Describing it as unacceptable, Arthur, who has 25 years’ experience in the jewelry industry, said with just a little push, the nation will make strides in the sector.
“We have very good gold and silver smiths here in Ghana, but the problem is that they lack the equipment and financial assistance. We can do what the advanced countries are doing. All we need is modern equipment to take off,†he said.
He hinted that after the first course, a two-year diploma course will be available to those who would like to further their courses in the profession.
Professor Anamuah-Mensah last week gave hints about the programme at Asante Mampong, during a graduation ceremony, saying that the college has enormous potential for the kind of partnership it is going into with DDL.
“We therefore extend our invitation to the industry and business sector to support and collaborate with the college for our mutual benefit and to facilitate national development,†he noted.
The business incubator centre is aimed at providing a support structure and framework for enterprise creation with emphasis on jewelry manufacture and repair.
It will also provide back-up and guidance to university graduates to enable them run ventures effectively and keep pace with the rapid changes in the contemporary world of business.
The production unit is to be hooked onto the established market of the USA and Europe on the premise that there are lots of consumers there.
Source/Credits: Daily Guide
