Art Tech Institute has been launched in Accra, Ghana, marking a significant milestone in the jewelry industry in Ghana.
Founded by Sue Kumah Boateng, the Institute stands as the training wing of Sue Shimmers Jewelry, a renowned precious jewelry manufacturing company, established in 2012, in Accra, Ghana. The launch event was graced by notable figures from various sectors, signifying widespread support and recognition for the initiative.
The primary objective of the Art Tech Institute is to standardize and enhance training programmes within the jewelry industry, with a focus on skill development and job creation. Over the years, Sue Shimmers has played a pivotal role in training numerous individuals, including students, new entrants and industry professionals.
Noteworthy among these efforts was the six-day Skills Upgrade Training Programme, organized for 40 members of the Jewellers Association of Ghana, generously funded by the Ghana Skills Development Fund.
Strategic partnerships form the backbone of Art Tech Institute’s operations, exemplified by its collaboration with the Centre of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR). Located on the CSIR-IIR campus in East Legon, this partnership grants the Institute access to cutting-edge research facilities, including advanced 3D technology. Dr. Agyenim, Director of CSIR-IIR, expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration, highlighting its potential to drive innovation and industrial growth in Ghana.
Dr. Fred Asamoah Kyei, Director General of the Council for Tertiary and Vocational Education (CTVET), emphasized the imperative of value addition to Ghana’s natural resources. He underscored the need for collaboration among industry, academia and government to develop local capacity and reduce reliance on imported goods. The keynote speaker, Mr. Phillipe Ayivor, a retired Executive of Coca-Cola and a member of the Advisory Council of the Master Card Foundation, echoed this sentiment, urging stakeholders to explore opportunities along the entire value chain of the precious jewelry market.
The launch event also featured insights from Mrs. Margaret Boateng Sekyere, Chairman of Societe Generale Bank, who emphasized the importance of synergy between academia, industry and research for wealth creation.
Dr. Dunwell, Fund Manager of the Ghana Skills Development Fund; Mr. Jonathan Ababio, President of the Jewellers Association of Ghana; Executives from the American, British and Danish Chambers of Commerce, industry practitioners and other distinguished guests further enriched the occasion with their perspectives and support.
In her address, Sue Kumah Boateng shared her life-long dream of establishing the Art Tech Institute, driven by a desire to share her extensive industry experience and empower future generations of jewelers.
She stressed the significance of internships and practical training in nurturing talent and fostering entrepreneurship. Sue reiterated the Institution’s commitment to promoting female inclusion and fostering collaboration for skill acquisition and job creation.
The launch of the Art Tech Institute, heralds a new era of innovation and excellence in Ghana’s jewelry industry. Through collaborative efforts and a focus on skills development, the institute aims to cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurs, capable of driving economic growth and reducing unemployment. As stakeholders rally behind this visionary initiative, the prospects for Ghana’s jewelry sector shine brighter than ever before.
