Ashaiman holds beads bazaar

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover, ASHIAMAN The first ever Ashaiman International Beads Bazaar has been held with a call on all stakeholders to ensure that beads making in the municipality grow into a permanent market and industry to create employment. The Municipal Chief Executive for Ashaiman, Mr Ibrahim Baidoo who made the call said the Assembly is committed at working to position the Municipality as a preferred destination for beads and creative products to enable the area attract buyers and investment. The bazaar was organised by the SOS Children’s Villages Family Strengthening Programme in partnership with the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, the Federation of Ashaiman Youth. More than twenty beads designers in and around Ashaiman displayed various types of beads and educated the public about their cultural, medical and sensual significance Objective The one-day bazaar provided a unique opportunity for youth within and outside the Ashaiman municipality to learn practical skills of bead making, have the confidence to start their own small-scale business and contribute to improving their livelihoods and that of their community. It witnessed the showcasing of beads, wire sculpture and paintings. Visitors to the bazaar also had the opportunity to actively engage with exhibitors and also had the opportunity try their hands on simple beads making techniques. The Business Development Advisor at the SOS Children’s Villages, Mr Charles Cobbina said Ashaiman is a huge market place for big business and income generation for any service or product provider. He noted that though the population is very large, unemployment, especially among the young people is very visible, hence the need to create an avenue for income generation and also provide an employment opportunity for the youth through bead making. Mr Cobnina said the initiative is intended to lay the foundation for the establishment of a permanent Ashaiman Arts and Creative Products Centre.