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UNIDO's partnership powers the growth of Ghana's natural cosmetics sector
Michelle Ayog-Nying Dassah from Ghana’s concern for her children led to the founding of a business that empowers others. When her twins suffered from rashes, Dassah experimented with natural ingredients and created a soothing ointment by mixing Shea butter with neem oil. This ointment demonstrated incredible curative qualities and rapidly healed her children. This experience ignited Dassah's entrepreneurial spirit, leading her to establish Laam Shea Products, a company that produces natural cosmetics.
Dassah's entrepreneurial journey led to the expansion and integration of her business into the thriving WACOMP - Ghana Cosmetic Middle cluster. In addition to nurturing her enterprise, she embraced the role of a mentor, leaving a lasting impact on numerous entrepreneurs, particularly empowering young individuals and women. Her support extended to enhancing their technical expertise and facilitating the creation of employment opportunities for their sustainable livelihoods.
"UNIDO created the opportunity for entrepreneurs like me and strengthened my technical and quality skills in developing standardized formulas. My Masterclass Cosmetics formulation training in 2022 contributes to Ghana’s new TVET curricula development,
The natural resources of Ghana, including shea butter, cocoa butter, and tropical essential oils, are highly coveted for their use in organic skincare products worldwide. As consumer awareness of skincare ingredients grows, there is a rising demand for natural cosmetics and greater transparency in their production. However, Ghana's advancement in this field is impeded by various challenges. Local enterprises face barriers to meeting the stringent standards of the global market. Acquiring the necessary resources and knowledge for product certification is a persistent struggle, and accessing accredited testing facilities remains a significant obstacle.
UNIDO's West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) in Ghana with financial support from the European Union, carried out a series of targeted activities. These initiatives were designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, implement advancements in manufacturing processes, and fortify market entry opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs in Ghana.
Michelle Dassah (L) with a cluster member at the UNIDO Cosmetics Emulsion formulation training
In collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority, the project developed 16 standards (two for cassava and 14 for cosmetics and personal care products) to enhance the competitiveness and quality of the cassava and cosmetics value chains.
WACOMP-Ghana also developed Cosmetics Formulation Guidelines, which not only were adopted by entrepreneurs like Michelle to improve the quality of their products but were used to develop a new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculum aimed at providing young people with technical skills essential to increase their employability and enhance their livelihoods.
The impact of the project is tangible in the progress of entrepreneurs like Michelle Ayog-Nying Dassah. Thanks to WACOMP training, Laam Shea received orders from all over Ghana, the UK and across the globe for their newly formulated handcraft soaps.
"UNIDO enhanced my capabilities and gave me the courage it takes to lead and guide young entrepreneurs by example'',
Madam Michelle Dassah - Ayog (L) receiving a certificate from Mr. Johnson Opoku Boateng , Head of Business Development Department of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) at the WACOMP - Ghana Masterclass Formulation training in Accra
