The Professional Cosmetologist and Beauty Therapist Association of Ghana (PCABAG), has been re-launched in Accra with a commitment to acquire the necessary skills for the job.
The association, which has been existing for more than two decades, has for a long time remain dormant.
With the aim to establish a united front for promoting excellence and professional knowledge in delivering cosmetology services in in the country, PCABAG also aims at making the profession more attractive to graduates.
Speaking at the relaunch ceremony, PCABAG’s President, King David Thompson, said the association had in the past went through various trainings and education which led to the group being examined in the highest level in National Examination (NCC & Certificate II).
“The association also pushed for facilitator programmes with COTVET which enabled some of our members to gain employment with some prestigious institutions in this country,” he said.
Thompson explained that the P-CABAG education team which was instituted in 2012, has been growing at a rapid rate through prudent management of resources.
“Some of our members have gained admissions into universities whilst others serve on boards for curriculum and policy formulation. That’s why it has become necessary to emphasise on the acquisition of the right skills for the profession,” he noted.
Thompson however, bemoaned the lack of government’s support for the cosmetology and beauty industry, adding. “despite the important contributions professionals like cosmetologists and beauty therapists can make to the socio-economic development of this country, successive governments have not done enough in ensuring standards in the sector.
The various regulators, he indicated, have failed to provide the needed checks on unqualified practitioners in the industry.
“It is sad that authorities allow salons to spring up anywhere without the required health and safety standards being checked,” he said.
Thompson added, “A lot of attention must be given to TVET as a national priority. It is unthinkable to expect schools to run smoothly without budgets. As of now, grants and subventions to some TVET schools are in arrears of almost three quarters. Schools are continuously being starved of qualified facilitators and learning materials.”
By Wisdom Jonny-Nuekpe
