Germany Backs Kumasi Development: Dortmund Team Commends UNI-JAY’s Role in Women Empowerment Initiative
A delegation from the City of Dortmund in Germany, led by Mr. Ailko Wichman, Director of Procurement, has paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Kwasi Ofori Boadi Agyemang, as part of ongoing efforts to deepen the long-standing partnership between Dortmund and Kumasi. The visit, undertaken with support from GIZ and POLAS, highlighted the shared commitment to women’s empowerment, climate action and cultural exchange—key pillars of the bilateral cooperation.
Welcoming the delegation, Mayor Ofori-Agyemang Boadi expressed appreciation for Dortmund’s continued dedication to Kumasi’s developmental progress. He noted that the cooperation, which he inherited from his predecessors, has grown into a strong and practical relationship yielding visible benefits across multiple sectors. The Mayor emphasized that Germany’s interest in strengthening technical and vocational education in Kumasi is evident in the €6 million support extended to the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) to enhance skills training with modern tools and technology.
Mr. Wichman reiterated Dortmund’s high regard for its enduring partnership with Kumasi. He underscored the importance of transparency in sustaining development cooperation, particularly in relation to the women’s empowerment programme implemented in partnership with UNI-JAY Ltd. He expressed delight at the pace of progress and added that it would be gratifying to see products from Ghana represented in Dortmund’s markets as part of the economic arm of the collaboration. He also delivered warm felicitations from the Mayor of Dortmund to the Mayor and people of Kumasi, reinforcing the friendship between the two cities.
During the meeting, Mrs. Janet Abobigu, Chief Executive Officer of UNI-JAY Ltd and a key beneficiary of the women empowerment initiative, expressed profound gratitude to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and its development partners for their confidence in her institution. She highlighted the transformative impact of the programme, explaining that the support received will improve hands-on training for young women, reduce unemployment, and help equip students with practical skills to build sustainable livelihoods.
Mrs. Abobigu reaffirmed UNI-JAY’s commitment to upholding the standards required to justify the investment made in the company and promised to expand opportunities for young women who aspire to careers in garment production and related fields.
Mayor Ofori-Agyemang Boadi, in concluding remarks, expressed optimism that the collaboration with UNI-JAY will significantly contribute to both local and national economic development. He noted that the central government has reaffirmed its interest in revitalizing the garment and textile industry, with budgetary allocations already made and three regions selected to benefit from the initiative. He assured the delegation of Kumasi’s readiness to continue fostering productive partnerships that deliver real impact.
The visit by the Dortmund delegation marks yet another milestone in the Kumasi–Dortmund cooperation, reinforcing a partnership built on shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to sustainable development.
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