Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Catherine Afeku, has assured government’s interest in the make-up and beauty industry in Ghana.
According to her, the government recognizes the industry to be a pivot in nurturing the entrepreneurial skills and talent among the youth.
She underscored that government is aware the beauty industry is one of the most lucrative sectors in the creative arts business.
Madam Catherine was speaking at the opening of the 2018 edition Ghana Makeup week dubbed ‘African Makeup and Beauty Fair’.
The 3-days event kicked off at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra on Wednesday.
The event however coincided with the Ghana Makeup week. This climaxed the whole event with an awards night last Saturday at Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
She assured that government is therefore doing all it can to support and regulate the industry for the betterment of the youth who find themselves in that sector.
The assurance is prior to recent calls by some stakeholders to regulate the industry. This, according to them, is necessary due to the upsurge in the number of make-up artists. The upsurge, they alleged is affecting standards.
“The government of President Nana Addo sees this industry as pivotal to helping bring the entrepreneurial skills and artistic talent of young men and women in this sector. As your ministry, we are doing all we can in terms of policy, guidelines and support to ensure that it is mainstream. It is 60-billion plus industry,” says Mrs Afeku.
“Back in the day when people are selling cosmetology. You were looked down up because they thought you were not scientists, doctors, nurses etc. Today, 21st century, we make more money than those traditional jobs… when you walk around, there are three things I will like you to note: standards, quality and professionalism. It is not everybody that is in the beauty business to make people beautiful. So you need to take time, learn the rudiments and be a professional make-up artist or beautician,” she added.
She also tasked the industry to be ambassadors of made-in-Ghana beauty products. As well as join the fight against open defecation along Ghana’s coastline.
The 2018 Make-Up & Beauty Week, which was organised by Make-Up Ghana with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture. The event brought stakeholders together to help find solutions for challenges affecting the industry.
The Ghana Makeup Week also included activities such as exhibitions, workshops, seminars, training and make-up runway shows.
Great personalities like; Grace Amey-Obeng (CEO, FC Group of Companies), Dentaa Amoateng (CEO, GUBA Enterprise –UK), Kubi Springer (CEO, She Builds Brands – UK), Chief of Staff Abu Jinapor, Dzifa Gomashie former Minister for Tourism Arts & Culture-Dzifa Gomashie, and Berla Mudi, who was the MC were also in attendance.
