Union tells Ghana hairdressers to turn their skills into businesses at Legon festival

Pinned summary · as of 15:38

ICU-Ghana, the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union, has called on hairdressers and beauticians belonging to GHABA, the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, to move from practising a trade to running enterprises. The appeal came at the opening of GHABA's 2026 festival at the University of Ghana, Legon, held on Tuesday, 29 September.

What we know

• Morgan Ayawine, ICU-Ghana's General Secretary, urged GHABA members to develop their skills and creativity into lasting businesses that generate wealth and jobs, according to Onua Online and Adom Online.
• The message was delivered at the opening of GHABA's 2026 festival at the University of Ghana, Legon, and both reports say the event's theme centres on skills, creativity and enterprise in the beauty industry.
• Mr Ayawine advised members not to wait for large amounts of capital, but to begin on a small scale with basic equipment and expand gradually as customers and income grow.
• He named banks, microfinance lenders, family help and personal savings as legitimate ways to raise funds, and said members should use the festival to network, exchange contacts and win customers.
• Mr Ayawine said good customer service and sound management are needed for a small business to succeed.
• He said the relationship between ICU-Ghana and GHABA dates back to the association's early years in the 1970s, and that the union backed GHABA's development, including international cosmetology training for its trainers.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  Reports differ on who delivered the address. Onua Online said Mr Ayawine spoke at the opening, while Adom Online and MyJoyOnline said Emmanuel Benimah, the union's Deputy General Secretary in charge of Operations, delivered the keynote on his behalf.

Why it matters for Ghana

Hairdressing and beauty work supports many young people and apprentices across Ghana, and most start with little money. The union's advice on starting small and on funding from savings, family or microfinance speaks directly to those weighing a first salon or shop. The link between a workers' union and a trade association also shows how organised labour is trying to reach informal-sector workers in Accra and beyond.