Local shoes, global dreams.

Ghana has many talented and creative young people, and their craftsmanship continues to amaze and inspire. One of the best examples of when this creativity happens is in our locally made shoes and slippers. These are made by hand; not only does this style and culture shine through, but you can also see the entrepreneurial spirit of Ghanaian youth working hard every day to be able to make a living from their skillset.

Recently I strolled through the market and found myself drawn to a section where there were several pairs of beautifully made local shoes and slippers. The pair I came across were not only beautifully made, but the creativity presented really showed the ingenuity of the maker and how serious attention to detail is applied. Also, ranging from your typical leather sandals to colourful fashion fabric slippers, you could also see creativity, style and a story being presented.

I am excited to see the type of potential that is available regionally within the local footwear fashion industry. Many of the young people producing these shoes/slippers have very limited tools and resources but are still producing strong shoes/slippers which are fashionable and functional for both local and international markets. For them to prove key contributors to the economy, all they need is support of many forms, especially access to recognition and now access to these platforms; we all know we have the capabilities to do it.

It is also promising to see that these locally trained young shoemakers can unlock succession and further develop more job opportunities. If we begin to look at what we are doing more and not represent shoes as synonymous with imports only, we can lead with confidence and make sure our locally made shoes/slippers are promoted in a positive way. Buying locally helps to reinforce the economy and supports the creative people involved in being innovative.

There is a growing number of Ghanaians noticing and appreciating made-in-Ghana products, and if given the right exposure, this creative youth can also develop brands that are on international platforms. It all starts with us providing a platform, wearing their made shoes/slippers, and telling their stories.

I am so pleased that I was able to get a couple of great images of the lovely local footwear when I was out in the market for a walk. These images show what possibilities can come together for something great when passion, skill and opportunity meet. Let us continue to support Ghana's creative youth while also appreciating the beauty of what is truly ours.