The Central Region Development Commission (CEDECOM) in pursuit of its aim to provide alternative income-generating activities and help alleviate the poverty cycle, in addition to capitalizing on tourism in the Central Region, has embarked on the establishment of a Handicraft Production Centre at Abrafo Odumase, located in the Hemang-Lower Denkyira District, about 28km north of Cape Coast. The Craft Village is just 3km from the entrance of the Kakum National Park. The facility has space for over 50 craftsmen working on the following craft lines: bamboo and rattan, textiles, wood carving, ceramics and pottery, jewelry and bead-making and basketry.
It started as a training and income generating resource centre mainly for Abrafo and its surrounding communities, linking ‘tourist dollars’ to skill development. Through prior pilot projects, CEDECOM learned that local craftsmen needed tools and equipment, training, marketing, managerial support, and conducive working environment. These resources allow craftsmen to produce higher-quality goods and be self- supporting in the long term.
THE ABRAFO HANDICRAFT PRODUCTION PROJECT
The goal of the project includes the creation of employment and sustainable income for craftsmen and communities around the Kakum National Park, and to increase patronage of the craft centre by enhancing its touristic value.
The following objectives have been identified as key in achieving the above goal:
To develop authentic crafts as souvenirs for tourists and for functional use by hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities; To provide visitor receptive facilities such as restaurant, amphitheatre, washrooms and other support services to satisfy the convenience and special interest needs of visitors; To identify and train a selected number of artisans to demonstrate the production processes and techniques, as well as offering training assistance to tourists who wish to learn a craft; To promote the cultural resources and traditional values of the community through music, dance, drama, food and beverage. To contribute towards national effort through export diversification and promotionThe management and administration of the Centre will be the sole responsibility of CEDECOM in the form of providing managerial, marketing and entrepreneurial development support.
There is a large market for handicrafts a tourists purchase unique cultural items in a form of souvenirs. More and more people are seeking authentic handmade craft that are functional, eye-catching and affordable. Therefore, the project intends to establish linkages with export companies such as the Ghana Export Promotion Council to use the Centre as an effective supply base for handicrafts. The on-site handicraft retail outlet will allow visitors to purchase already-made crafts.
The project will be economically expedient and socially beneficial to the local communities in particular and the Central Region in general.
The Project Implementation Strategy
The Centre is to be an incubator, where unskilled potential craftspeople can learn a trade and the associated concepts needed to start their own small businesses. This capacity-building is the only way to broaden the economic benefits of craft sales to the whole community. Thus, the centre will have a variety of technical training programs that will focus on improving the quality of crafts and transfer of skills to other craftmen in the region; and managerial programs that will seek to build entrepreneurial capacities, marketing, businesses and financial management and efficiency of crafts and managerial programs that will focus on human resources at the same time.
Areas to be covered may include:
Use of tools and equipment Pricing and marketing Business Management Raw materials usage Product design Finishing & Packaging CostingThe craft center covers a total land area of 30 acres and it is currently undergoing rehabilitation.