Vocational training specialist and fashion entrepreneur Monica Akoeley Amegashie-Viglo is calling on Ghanaian youth to complement their academic qualifications with practical, employable skills. According to her, skills training has become indispensable for preparing young people to be innovative, competitive, and self-reliant in today’s changing job market.
Mrs. Amegashie-Viglo, who heads the Garment Technology Centre in Ho, observed that academic excellence alone no longer guarantees employment. She revealed that a growing number of high-performing students — including SHS leavers and university graduates — are now enrolling in vocational programmes to broaden their career prospects.
“Even those who are very good in school are now learning skill training,” she said.
The former Volta Regional Vice-Chairperson of the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association noted that attitudes toward vocational careers must evolve. The long-held belief that only academically weak students learn a trade, she stressed, is outdated and harmful — especially at a time when youth unemployment continues to rise.
“People think those who are not good in school should come and learn a trade. That’s not true anymore. SHS graduates and even university graduates are coming to learn,” she emphasized.
With 33 years of experience, the nationally certified dressmaker and NVTI trainer has mentored more than 250 young women, many of whom now run thriving fashion businesses or have progressed to technical universities. Her vision is for every young Ghanaian to pair formal education with at least one practical skill.
Mrs. Amegashie-Viglo highlighted that fashion design demands precision, mathematics, creativity, and problem-solving — making it intellectually rigorous and not a “backup option” as often assumed.
The Garment Technology Centre currently provides training in male and female garment production, fashion design, modelling, and also offers industrial attachments for students from SHSs, technical schools, and universities.
She encouraged parents to allow their wards to complete Senior High School before enrolling in vocational programmes, explaining that SHS graduates adapt faster and excel in technical training.
A proud member of the Association of Ghana Industries and a registered facilitator with CTVET, Mrs. Amegashie-Viglo draws her passion for youth development from her personal journey in fashion, her church leadership, and her work as a marriage counsellor.
“When I see people wear beautiful clothes, I feel inspired to create,” she recalled.
Beyond career opportunities, she believes vocational skills boost confidence and creativity, and can serve as an additional income stream for professionals across fields.
“You can be a banker or anything you want to be, but if you have a skill, it will help you financially,” she added.
With a strong social media presence of over 200,000 followers, she continues to inspire young people nationwide and promote the value of skills training.
Mrs. Monica Akoeley Amegashie-Viglo maintains that the safest path to securing the future of Ghana’s youth lies in blending classroom education with hands-on practical skills — a combination she believes will build a more resilient and empowered generation.
Source Hebrews Pouyeli Kumako ll News Volta
