Akosua Sakyi-Agyekum is the Chief Executive Officer of Nuesa Shoes and has been in the shoemaking business for the past 8 years.
Nuesa Shoes produces footwear such as shoes, slippers, sandals, etc.
Akosua is a graduate with a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
In her opinion, much more should be invested in informal education to better prepare graduates for the labor market.
“I don’t think the educational system prepares us for the outside world. The education system prepares us to pass exams. You need to have more skills” she added.
She has urged Ghanaians to embrace more locally produced products.
According to her, there is a need to change the misconception that made in Ghana goods are not quality or do not have good finishing.
” There are people here in Ghana who make very quality shoes that can rival any Italian product on any day.
Let’s buy and treat made-in-Ghana stuff the way we treat international products. We are lenient with them, we show mercy even when there are issues with the product. We should show the same mercy to people who produce in Ghana” she said.
Akosua after several job hunts proved futile, decided to start her own business.
She revealed that obtaining support while learning the shoemaking craft was one of her main struggles as well as getting qualified people to work with.
In the next five years, she hopes to become one of Africa’s most recognized footwear brands.
