The UniJay Amaleboba Foundation, in partnership with UniJay Limited, has secured a significant grant from the Facility Investing for Employment (IFE) to establish the UniJay Centre of Excellence and Hostel Facility for Apparel and Garments in Ghana.

This project, supported by the KfW Development Bank and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to enhance vocational education and address the shortage of skilled workers in the textile industry.

The grant, signed during a groundbreaking ceremony in Kumasi, marks a critical step in creating a state-of-the-art training center and hostel. Graduates from the center will have the opportunity to be employed directly by UniJay’s new garment factory, reflecting the project’s commitment to job creation and economic growth.

Currently employing over 700 people, UniJay Limited expects to generate 1,977 new jobs through this initiative. Of these, 796 positions will be within UniJay, while 1,181 jobs will be created in other textile factories across the country. Notably, around 1,300 of these new positions will be filled by women.

The funding from IFE will cover the construction of the training and boarding facilities and the purchase of necessary equipment.

The Managing Director of IFE, Mr Steffen Kuhl, stressed the project’s broader goals: “We are not here only for the opening of a factory but also for complementary aspects of a college. We look forward to creating more than just jobs, but an ecosystem that can ensure the sustainability of employment.”

The UniJay Centre of Excellence will provide students with practical skills and knowledge tailored to the apparel and garments sector, complemented by modern hostel facilities to support their overall development.

Lady Julia Osei Tutu, wife of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, witnessed the ceremony, highlighting the project’s importance in addressing the country’s employment challenges.

She lauded the initiative, stating, “Projects like the UniJay Centre of Excellence and Hostel Facility for Apparel and Garments deserve commendation, encouragement, and support.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UniJay Limited and the Unijay Amaleboba Foundation, Mrs Janet Abobigu, expressed gratitude for the support from IFE, KfW Development Bank, and BMZ.

In her remarks at the signing ceremony, she emphasised the collaboration’s potential to empower skilled professionals and drive socio-economic development in Ghana.

The event attracted distinguished guests, including government officials, industry leaders, and community stakeholders, all united in their vision of a prosperous and inclusive future.