Renowned precious jewelry manufacturing company, Sue Shimmers Jewelry, has launched Art Tech Institute in Accra, Ghana, as its training wing.

Sue Shimmers, founded by Sue Kumah Boateng and established in 2012, deems the launch of the Institute as a significant milestone in the jewelry industry in Ghana.

The launch event was graced by notable figures from various sectors, signifying widespread support and recognition for the initiative.

The primary objective of the Art Tech Institute is to standardise and enhance training programmes within the jewelry industry, with a focus on skill development and job creation.

Over the years, Sue Shimmers has played a pivotal role in training numerous individuals, including students, new entrants and industry professionals.

Noteworthy among these efforts was the six-day Skills Upgrade Training Programme, organized for 40 members of the Jewellers Association of Ghana, generously funded by the Ghana Skills Development Fund.

Strategic partnerships form the backbone of Art Tech Institute's operations, exemplified by its collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR).

Located on the CSIR-IIR campus at East Legon, Accra, this partnership grants the Institute access to cutting-edge research facilities, including advanced 3D technology.

Dr Francis Boateng Agyenim , Director of CSIR-IIR, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting its potential to drive innovation and industrial growth in Ghana.

Dr. Fred Asamoah Kyei, Director General of the Council for Tertiary and Vocational Education (CTVET), emphasised the imperative of value addition to Ghana's natural resources.

He underscored the need for collaboration among industry, academia and government to develop local capacity and reduce reliance on imported goods.

The keynote speaker, Mr. Phillipe Ayivor, a retired Executive of Coca-Cola and a member of the Advisory Council of the Master Card Foundation, echoed this sentiment, urging stakeholders to explore opportunities along the entire value chain of the precious jewelry market.

The launch event also featured insights from Mrs. Margaret Boateng Sekyere, Chairman of Societe Generale Bank, who emphasised the importance of synergy between academia, industry and research for wealth creation.

Dr. Dunwell Eku, Fund Manager of the Ghana Skills Development Fund; Mr. Jonathan Ababio, President of the Jewellers Association of Ghana; executives from the American, British and Danish Chambers of Commerce, industry practitioners, and other distinguished guests further enriched the occasion with their perspectives and support.

In her address, Sue Kumah Boateng shared her life-long dream of establishing the Art Tech Institute, driven by a desire to share her extensive industry experience and empower future generations of jewelers.

She stressed the significance of internships and practical training in nurturing talent and fostering entrepreneurship.

Sue reiterated the Institution’s commitment to promoting female inclusion and fostering collaboration for skill acquisition and job creation. Through collaborative efforts and a focus on skills development, the Art Tech Institute aims to cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurs, capable of driving economic growth and reducing unemployment.