Mr. Richard Prah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the City of Gold Jewellers located at Daban in Kumasi-Ashanti Region has commended the government of Ghana on the establishment of a jewelry school in Ghana.
Government believes the Tepa Institute of Jewelry Technology and Innovation (T.I.J.T.I) which is currently under construction would help position the jewelry sector properly to boost the country’s economy.
He said the establishment of the jewelry school is a good initiative that will help in training its students with modern ways of jewelry manufacturing.
According to Mr Prah, Ghana stands to gain much when a conscious effort is made to add value to natural resources.
The CEO of City of Gold Jewellers believes adding value to Ghana’s raw gold by turning it into jewelry would help create jobs for the unemployed youth.
He indicated that past governments over the years have contributed their best to the improvement of the country but the jewelry sector has been neglected.
‘It was not for nothing that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah established the college of Arts at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) where a section of the studies is on the study of jewelry manufacturing.
It was not for nothing that the Tarkwa School of Mines now University of Mines and Technology was set up to train the youth on mining in Ghana,’ he said.
He called on policy makers to consult existing jewelry companies in the country on ways to promote the institute.
Mr. Prah suggested that special courses be organized for existing Goldsmiths with modern trends of jewelry fabrication and finishing for their works to meet the international standards.
The CEO of the City of Gold Jewellers further suggested that strict enforcement of laws on mining be established to help curb the illegal exploitation of lands by Chinese Galamsey operators.
He urged Ghanaians to at least wear one made in Ghana gold jewelry.