Fifteen aspiring hairdressers and beauticians in the Western Region have undergone professional examinations as the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA) intensifies efforts to raise standards in the beauty industry.
The candidates, drawn from the Sekondi Zone of GHABA, were examined in chemicals, practicals and theory at the Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church in Sekondi.
They comprised Senior High School (SHS) and Junior High School (JHS) graduates, as well as persons without formal education, who had completed a three-year apprenticeship programme from 2023 to 2026.
Successful candidates will qualify to sit for the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) certificate examination.
The Chairperson of GHABA, Sekondi Zone, Ms Sarah Amoah, stated that the exercise was not merely to test the candidates’ technical abilities, but also to prepare them to meet professional standards in a rapidly changing industry.
Speaking to The Ghanaian Times on Saturday, she said the examination assessed candidates’ knowledge of hair setting, chemicals and other aspects of the profession, while equipping them with the skills needed to operate professionally.
She mentioned that GHABA was also placing emphasis on safety, customer care, marketing, public relations, job performance and financial management.
Ms Amoah said professional certification would open new opportunities for members, including employment in hotels and other corporate establishments, opportunities abroad and access to financial support.
“GHABA seeks to promote proficiency, competency and professionalism, while ensuring adherence to safety protocols and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect clients and practitioners from infections,” she explained.
According to her, GHABA, which had existed for about 50 years, had trained more than 2,000 learners, many of whom were now contributing to the growth of the beauty industry and the economy.
She said the association was determined to expand the opportunities available to its members by positioning them to secure more contracts and compete for jobs in established salons, hotels and other institutions.
“Our horizon needs to expand, but, critically, we need to first be professionals and boost our competency in the changing global economy,” she stressed.
Ms Amoah, however, expressed concern about what she described as unprofessional attitudes among some practitioners, particularly poor customer relations and lack of punctuality.
Such attitudes, she warned, could damage the reputation of practitioners, cost them clients and ultimately threaten the future of the profession.
She, therefore, urged non-members of GHABA to join the association and take advantage of its training programmes to improve their knowledge, skills and professional conduct.
The Central Regional President of GHABA and an examiner, Ms Mary Adjoa Appiah, who conducted the exercise, also underscored the importance of professional training.
She then expressed the hope that the candidates would use the knowledge acquired to become competent practitioners and good ambassadors of the association.
BOYE, SEKONDI
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