'Pay attention to the spa and beauty industry'

Published in the Daily Graphic on 20/01/10, pg 20

Story: Matilda Attram
The Chief Executive Officer of Allure Africa Limited, Ghana, Mrs Dzigbordi Dosoo, has expressed concern that little attention is given to the spa and beauty industry in the country.
She said the beauty industry in Ghana contributed immensely towards the development of the nation and thus needed support and attention of stakeholders to grow.
“In our country, the beauty industry is regarded as a side vocation, low tier and a fall back profession when everything fails. Little attention is given to the thousands of Ghanaians who earn their living from this industry,” she said.
Mrs Dosoo made this remark at the launch of the 2010 ‘Iyaba’- Africa’s premier and beauty trade exhibition and conference to be held in Accra this year.
It is a three-day beauty trade exhibition and conference organised by the Allure Africa Limited on the theme: “Growing your Business in the Spa and Beauty Industry”, sought to contribute to private sector development in Ghana.
‘Iyaba’, which is an Hausa name which means a dream, a wish, a desire, an aspiration or a hope that is fulfilled, was conceptualised to bring together reputable international companies interested in doing business in Africa, particularly Ghana, with global beauty resources.
‘Iyaba’ is expected to raise the standards in the wellness and beauty industry by equipping participants with the requisite skills in the industry through lectures, practical, products, tools, equipment and supplies that would ensure professionalism.
It is also anticipated to create an avenue for the sharing of ideas with regard to the industry and identify the needs of the industry through leaders and stakeholders within it.
Mrs Dosoo added that although the industry was a major contributor to the promotion of tourism in the country, it was one of the most underrated and unrecognised sector.
She said the industry generated employment for people, especially the younger generation, and yet it was not given due attention.
Mrs Dosoo stressed the need to build capabilities that would encourage Ghanaians to contribute to the development of the industry. She said it was necessary to improve on various structures such as areas of research and technology to make the required impact on the industry due to the constant evolution of the industry worldwide.
“We have to move from basic skills to solution providers, from cosmetic sellers to partners, from trainers to educators.
When the needed standards are raised in all areas, the spa and beauty industry would become a unified force of knowledge and a strong resource base serving the needs of the entire population,” she stated.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Kobby Acheampong, said the spa and beauty industry in Ghana was important to the development of the nation, since it contributed greatly to the development of the tourism sector.
He said Ghana had the potential to attract more investors and visitors if the spa and beauty industry could be well managed.
Mr Acheampong called on players in the industry to be resourceful in order to boost tourism in the country.
That, he said, could be done through the provision of quality services needed in the industry to contribute to the development of the nation.
The three-day beauty trade exhibition and conference would be held at the Accra International Conference Centre from the February 15 to 17 of this year.
International hair, beauty and spa exhibiting brand companies from North America, Africa, Asia and Europe are expected to participate in the exhibition and conference.