{
  "id": 17309375,
  "title": "Shoe-making is not for school dropouts — Horseman founder Tonyi Senayah",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/shoe-making-is-not-for-school-dropouts-horseman-founder-tonyi-senayah",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T23:56:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/shoe-making-is-not-for-school-dropouts-horseman-founder-tonyi-senayah/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tonyi Senayah, founder of Horseman, emphasizes that his shoemaking business is not for school dropouts, but rather part of a broader mission to provide fulfilling employment opportunities for artisans and combat the notion that vocational trades are only for those who failed to advance through formal education. The entrepreneur's interest in developing people emerged towards the end of his studies at the University of Ghana. Although he once dreamt of becoming a pilot, Senayah became increasingly drawn to a field that would enable him to contribute to human development. After exploring various international non-governmental organizations aligned with this ambition, Senayah transitioned into entrepreneurship through shoemaking.\n\nSenayah explained that his journey into shoemaking remained consistent with his aspiration to shape and develop people while creating opportunities for those skilled in crafts. Beyond producing shoes, he became captivated by the circumstances under which many individuals entered vocational trades. He observed that some people learned skills like shoemaking, sewing, mechanics, and carpentry not due to a genuine preference for those careers, but because they were unable to continue their formal education. This realization reinforced Senayah's determination to build a business that offered artisans more fulfilling employment opportunities and helped alter public attitudes towards vocational skills.\n\nOne of his broader objectives is to challenge the perception that vocational training is an option reserved for those unable to excel in conventional academic paths. Senayah argues that an individual's circumstances should not dictate how society values their work or the contribution they can make to society. His vision for Horseman transcends merely producing shoes; it's about creating opportunities for artisans and shifting attitudes towards technical and vocational occupations. For Senayah, developing people and providing meaningful employment for skilled workers remains central to his entrepreneurial journey.",
  "summary": "Founder of Horseman, Tonyi Senayah, says his shoemaking business is driven by a broader mission to create fulfilling employment opportunities for artisans and challenge the perception that vocational trades are meant for people who fail to progress through formal education.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}