Ghana TVET Service partners ‘The OR Foundation’ to advance sustainable fashion through National TVET WEEK 2026

Ghana's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service has joined forces with The OR Foundation to advance sustainable fashion through National TVET Week 2026. The collaboration aims to integrate circular design and sustainable fashion into the national training curriculum, introducing a new generation of learners to the practice of turning discarded materials into valuable products, thus reducing environmental strain.

This partnership comes in the wake of the devastating fire at Kantamanto market, where The OR Foundation has already provided emergency relief and recovery support to thousands of traders, artisans, and small businesses in the textile sector. The Director-General of the Ghana TVET Service, Engr. Dr Eric Kofi Adzroe, emphasized that the Next Gen Fashion Icon Showcase would showcase the capabilities of TVET learners, challenging the public to rethink waste as a source of raw materials for skilled labor.

The Deputy Director-General in charge of Management Services, Mr Abdul Fatah Maigah Mahama Esq, highlighted that the partnership signals a broader shift towards mainstreaming sustainability into all trade areas, from construction to cosmetology. Dr Adzroe further noted that the collaboration would provide learners with invaluable exposure to global best practices in upcycling and circular design from The OR Foundation's instructors.

Ms Elizabeth Ricketts, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The OR Foundation, expressed optimism about Ghana's potential to lead globally in sustainable fashion and the role the partnership will play in building systems to support this ambition. The Next Gen Fashion Icon Showcase is set to be part of National TVET Week 2026, taking place from October 12 to 16, 2026, and will bring together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the future of skills development in Ghana.