In a heartwarming celebration of empowerment and achievement, the Accra World Trade Center was abuzz with excitement on Friday, September 8, 2023, as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Prada Group hosted the “Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears” closeout event.
The occasion was graced by inspiring speeches from key figures, shedding light on the project’s profound impact on Ghana’s young women.
The Country Representative of UNFPA Ghana, Dr. Wilfred Ochan spoke to the media emphasizing the event’s core message.
“The meaning of this event is that we want every young person to realize their potential,” Dr. Ochan declared passionately.
“We like to see young and vulnerable women empowered and given opportunities in life. The meaning of this event also clearly shows that when young people are given the opportunity, they can become people who can bring changes in their communities”, he added.
According to Dr. Ochan, the Fashion Expressions project not only showcased stunning fashion creations but also empowered its participants to lead, innovate, and achieve economic independence.
“More than the products they have shown, they have gained the agency as empowered young adolescent girls able to lead groups, able to come up with their own ideas and bring out the creativity in those ideas,” he highlighted.
The program also placed a strong emphasis on reproductive health education, equipping the beneficiaries with essential knowledge.
Dr. Ochan expressed his hopes, saying, “We also trained them in reproductive health education, how to use family planning methods, how to be able to seek healthcare, how to be able to adopt healthy lifestyles, and we hope that with all the empowerment they have, they will be able to better plan their lives and their families and bring the effects of this event to their own children.”
The fashion industry in Ghana holds immense potential for growth and employment opportunities, and Dr. Ochan called on stakeholders to invest in such initiatives.
“Those in the fashion industry, those in the textile manufacturing industries, this is an opportunity for you to bring corporate social investment to such groups of young people so that they can become the workforce for your market,” he urged.
Director of Strategy, Partnerships, and Engagement at Prada Group, Jean Carlos Bonilla, also joined the chorus of praise for the graduates.
“First and foremost, I would like to say a massive congratulations to all the Ghana graduates. You should all be proud of yourselves and your hard work, and I hope you truly understand the magnitude of what you all have accomplished,” Bonilla commended. “We are so thrilled to have you be part of the Prada Group family, and please know that you can count on us as cheerleaders always.”
He also expressed gratitude to the dedicated partners involved in the program.
“To our dedicated partners, we could not have done this without you. Your dedication and your willingness to participate in this program are incredibly powerful and should serve as an example of all we can accomplish in our communities”, he said.
The “Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears” closeout event was a resounding success, not only celebrating the graduates’ accomplishments but also highlighting the transformative potential of partnerships, empowerment, and fashion in shaping the future of young individuals in Ghana.
Story by: Kelly Adjetey Boye | univers.ug.edu.gh