Business · Godfred Anku Kaali

ASSI holds mentorship and coaching training for artisans

Selected artisans from 32 municipalities and districts across the Eastern Region have undergone mentorship and coaching training to enhance their skills and improve their businesses.

The one-day training was organized by the Association of Small-Scale Industries (ASSI), in collaboration with the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) and the Mastercard Foundation, in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.

The training focused on craftmanship, mentorship and coaching, and innovation in craftmanship.

The programme forms part of efforts to equip artisans with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their operations, create jobs and contribute to the growth of the small-scale industry sector.

Addressing the artisans, the National President of ASSI, Reverend Christian Balaaji, stressed the importance of continuous training and urged them to take workshops and capacity-building programmes seriously.

He said technical skills alone are not enough to make a business successful, emphasizing the need for artisans to combine their technical expertise with effective business management practices.

“To build an enterprise that outlives its founder, technical skills must marry effective and executive leadership strategy. When a master craftsman learns how to streamline operational costs, manage business records, enforce strict quality control, and inspire young apprentices with strategic vision, the entire supply chain wins,” he said.

Business Sustainability Expert and Chartered Environmentalist, Lord-Lucas Vodzi, who facilitated the training, also urged participants to embrace innovation to keep their businesses relevant and competitive.

He encouraged them to continuously build on their skills and knowledge while creating professional networks and opportunities for collaboration.

Mr. Vodzi cautioned participants against viewing their businesses solely as physical shops, explaining that their skills can be utilized in different locations and settings.

“It appears that many of the craftsmen and women in Ghana are not exposed to business realities. Business today is dynamic and becoming global. Artisans should not limit themselves to their shops but explore professional networking across regions to create more opportunities,” he said.

Mr. Vodzi added that innovation is crucial in today’s world because human beings are dynamic and their needs are constantly changing, noting that artisans who fail to introduce new ideas risk losing their relevance and may struggle to sustain their businesses.

The artisans commended the organizers for the training, noting that it will go a long way towards enhancing their skills, improving their businesses and helping them better manage challenges in their respective trades.

They called for more such training programmes to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to sustain and grow their businesses.

The artisans were drawn from various ASSI affiliated associations, including the Ghana National Association of Garment Makers (GNAGM), Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association (GNTDA), Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA), and the Palm Oil Association.

Others included the Ghana Association of Barbers and Barbering Salon Owners (GABBSO), National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers (NABH), Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG), and the Woodworkers Association of Ghana (WAG).