While government’s flagship programme, the Free Senior High School, has received wide acclamation for opening up second cycle education in Ghana, it has not been without issues.

There have been concerns the programme has skewed second cycle education away from vocational and technical education and apprenticeship in the country towards more theory-based education.

This development has not gone unnoticed in the fashion industry in Ghana.

Some fashion schools and industry stakeholders have begun outreach programmes to raise awareness about the potential for a successful career in fashion design following a sharp decline in enrollment in fashion training programmes in recent times.

One of such stakeholders is Korkor Anita Selase of Q’SelNet Couture in Kpando, Volta Region.

Ms. Selase who is also a senior high school teacher has close to ten apprentices at her shop whom she trains in fashion designing and event decorations.

She complained that she is unable to get more apprentices to work in her shop following the introduction of the free SHS programme.

According to her, vocational skills, particularly, dressmaking, come in handy when one needs to earn extra income and has thus urged young people to pick up a vocational skill to secure a stable future.

“I actually earn far way more than what I gain as a graduate teacher and I have not regretted being a fashion designer,” Korkor Anita Selase said.

She said she is ready to help with sewing machines for young girls who are interested in joining the business in order to help them be financially stable and also confident in themselves.

One of her apprentices who spoke with JoyNews stated that while she had not been very enthused about enrolling into the fashion apprenticeship at the beginning, realising the independence her vocation has earned her makes her very happy and hopeful.

The NDC constituency women organiser, Victoria Yayra Afidenyo, urged more fashion designers to raise awareness about the benefits of the vocational skill and encourage more women to join the trade.