Arts industry must innovate, collaborate to survive – Okraku Mantey

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…as 6th Ghana Beauty Awards honours industry giants

 Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, is urging businesses in the arts industry to innovate, collaborate and partner to reduce the impact of economic turbulence on their operations.

He said the current situation requires building a united front and working together, as this is one of the ways to assist the country’s recovery from its current economic crisis.

“We acknowledge that we are not in good times. The world is going through economic turbulence and we have not been spared. We need each other more in these times. This is the time we need to innovate, collaborate and have partnerships so we can reduce risk,” he said at the 6th Ghana Beauty Awards.

The Deputy Minister, in a speech at the award ceremony aimed at honouring and recognising efforts of the industry players for the year under review, said the beauty industry is worth nurturing, given its potential and capacity to contribute in the country’s economy.

“The beauty industry plays a very good role in almost every facet of society – especially in film, fashion, media and more.  It interrelates with every facet of society. We acknowledge that this industry is a multimillion-cedi industry we must nurture and grow, because it can give a lot of revenue to the county,” he indicated.

He also encouraged the industry players to prioritise licencing and professionalisation of trade within the sector, and also take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mr. Okraku-Mantey added that government recognises the industry’s important role, and that work on the first-ever Creative Arts School is 80 percent complete.

Healthy competition

CEO of First Choice Hair & Beauty, Mrs. Faustina Adofo Adjagar, called for a healthy competition in the space to help grow brands, uphold standard practices and meet demand.

She reiterated the need to prioritise customer care to build strong relationships between clients and businesses to accelerate growth.

Mrs. Adofo Adjagar added her voice to calls for partnering and working together to grow the beauty industry, adding that its potential and possible gains cannot be underestimated.

Awards

CEO of Make-up Ghana – organiser of the award scheme, Ms. Rebecca Donkor, said over the years the awards have connected stakeholders to capacity building and funding opportunities which have helped them scale-up their businesses.

She said it has also created healthy competition among industry players, shaped conduct and service delivery, and raised the industry’s image and reputation.

The Honourary Awards this year went to Mrs. Mary Berchie (National President of the United Hairdressers Association of Ghana); Madam Mercy Osei Antwi (National President of Ghana Progressive Hair Dressers & Beauticians Association); Mrs. Evelyn Kufuor (Founder & CEO of OPIK Spa); Madam Alice Donkor Dasebu (Founder & CEO of Alice Skills/Auntie Alice Hair Braiding); Madam Comfort Adjahoe-Jennings (Founder & CEO of Ele Agbe Co. Ltd.); and Mrs. Irene Koranteng-Asante (Founder & CEO of Rene Salon).

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle (Founder & CEO of Rabito Clinic Ltd.); and Makeup Artist of the Year went to Marfoa Acheampong (Touch Makeup Artistry).

Beauty Business Chamber

The event saw the Beauty Business Chamber (BBC) launched – a platform for beauty industry players to foster innovation, development and support for all stakeholders.

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