Skills Training

The current 'Queen Mother' in Kwahu-Tafo (the traditional head of the community) has a background in the provision of social care. She has initiated two skills development projects aimed at Tafo's women.

 

In late 2004, Friends of Tafo brought in expert instructors to set up two open air training centres equipped with the kit necessary for bead making and fabric design. 

 

Some women were taught to crush broken glass bottles and make clay ovens in order to make traditional jewellery beads.

 

 

 

 

 

The Bead instructor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some they made

after only two weeks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nana Nkosuohene (Humphrey Barclay, Development Chief)

finds it's not so easy...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The others were taught the skills of tie and dye and batik to create colourful fabric designs.

 

 

 

 

First day at the Tie and Dye workshop: Dipping folded cloth

into dye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful result!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Batik stamps carved from wood are immersed in hot wax ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And stamped on to cloth, where their impressions will resist the next dye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both processes produced beautiful results that were pleasing to the participants and popular with buyers in Tafo and neighbouring towns. These items, although popular, were not previously manufactured locally. The products will be sold through a cooperative formed for the purpose which will bring income for the crafts people and for further development work.

 

We are seeking further funds to support a programme of working with the organisation Aid to Artisans Ghana who would advise on the development of designs to appeal to the international market. ATAG have several shops in Accra which fairly trade traditional crafts to the tourist market.

    Friends of Tafo
Chair: Humphrey Barclay, Development Chief (Nkosuohene) of Kwahu-Tafo
Secretary: Georgina Owen; Treasurer: Benjamin Ntim; Trustees: Crispin Leyser,
Jules Leyser, Daisy East, Lizzie Pomeroy, Robert Taylor;
Committee Members: Colena Abbosh, John Ofori, Peggy Rose Cradduck