IWI Mentee, KNUST Alum Phoebe Sackeyfio Champions Youth-Led Effort to Revive Ghana’s Textile Industry.

What began as a student’s concern about the future of her field has evolved into a growing movement to inspire change, as KNUST alumna, Phoebe Sackeyfio, leads efforts to revive Ghana’s textile industry through the Revival of the Ghanaian Textile Industry (R.G.T.I) Conference.

Confronted with the troubling reality of limited industry opportunities for graduates equipped with skills, she transformed that concern into action by establishing the conference sponsored by Impact Wave Initiative, a non profit organisation which empowers young women to reach their fullest potential.

“They say you are the best, but when you come out, you cannot even utilize your skills because the industries are not there,” she recalled.

Phoebe explained that the R.G.T.I Conference was designed to spark ideas, encourage collaboration and highlight how small individual efforts can collectively rebuild the textile industry.

“If I do something small, I inspire somebody to do something small. And together, we can actually revive the industry as youth,” she noted.

Speakers at the conference reinforced the importance of translating academic knowledge into real-world impact. Mr. Reindolf Amponsah, Senior Technician in the Department of Industrial Art, exemplified how students can turn knowledge into livelihood, sharing how he built a business from his textile skills during his student years.

He urged students not to wait for ideal conditions, stressing that opportunities often exist within their immediate environment.

“You don’t have to wait until you can afford machines. The knowledge you have. Apply it. There are people and groups around you who need it,” he advised.

Mr. Amponsah further highlighted that leveraging social networks, adaptability and initiative can open doors, even within a constrained industry.

Participants also left the conference with fresh perspectives on longstanding challenges within the Ghanaian textile industry. Boaz Saho, Teaching Assistant at the Department of Industrial Art, noted a shift in thinking around second-hand clothing, explaining that it could be repositioned as an innovative opportunity.

“Instead of seeing it as a problem, we could see it as an opportunity to upcycle and project our textile design skills globally,” he noted.

Similarly, Fithnight Nana-Oye Danso, a student from the Department of Industrial Art, said the conference underscored the importance of taking initiative while still in school, rather than waiting until after graduation to pursue opportunities.

“You’re not supposed to wait for an opportunity after school. The skills you have now can already benefit you and shape your future,” she said.