Kumasi, Ghana — May 2025
Ghana’s jewelry industry, once a shimmering beacon of national artistry, stands at a critical crossroad. Faced with the pressures of skyrocketing gold prices, outmoded tools, and a lack of formal training, many local artisans have been forced to pivot away from precious metals, resorting to brass and low-value alloys just to keep their workshops open.
To combat this decline and restore the "Gold" in the Gold Coast, Sue Shimmers Jewelry, in partnership with the Federation of Ashanti Regional Goldsmiths and Jewellers, recently concluded an intensive eight-day training program in Kumasi.
Supported by funding from the Ghana Skills Development Fund (GSDF), this initiative equipped 90 jewelers from across the Ashanti Region with the modern skills necessary to compete on the global stage.
Bridging the Skills Gap
Facilitated by Sue Eyram Kumah, CEO of Sue Shimmers Jewellery and the Art Tech Institute and her team, the program targeted the industry’s most pressing technical hurdles:
- Precision Gem-Setting: Teaching artisans how to securely and beautifully incorporate gemstones.
- Advanced Fabrication: Moving beyond traditional methods to meet international finishing standards.
- Technical Accuracy: Correcting inaccurate alloy calculations and implementing safe waste-disposal methods.
“Many participants experienced professional tools and microscopes for the first time,” Kumah noted. “It changes how you think about craftsmanship. When you see the level of detail possible with the right equipment, the standard of your work naturally rises.”
The Gemstone Advantage: Sustainability in Design
One of the most strategic takeaways from the workshop was the focus on gemstone integration. With gold prices remaining volatile, Sue Eyram Kumah emphasized that gemstones offer a path to high-value creation without the heavy overhead of raw gold.
- Value Addition: A well-set stone can multiply the price of a piece while keeping the gold weight low.
- Global Appeal: Precision-aligned stone setting is a hallmark of export-quality fine jewelry.
Tools for Transformation
This wasn't just a theoretical exercise. To ensure the training translated into immediate economic impact, graduates were presented with professional tool kits, including flexible shafts and saw frames. For many, these tools represent the bridge between struggling to survive and thriving as a modern entrepreneur.
With guidance from experts such as Cyril Adala of KNUST, where the practical training took place, participants were encouraged to blend creativity with technical precision.
This program marks the second successful collaboration between Sue Shimmers, the Art Tech Institute, and the GSDF, following a similar high-impact initiative for the Jewellers Association of Ghana in 2023.
A Vision for the Future: Beyond Raw Exports
While the training was a success, Sue Eyram Kumah issued a clarion call for broader systemic change. She urged the government to move toward a "Jewelry Hub" model—inspired by international gold souks—featuring the following:
- National Training & Equipment Centers.
- Raw Material Supply Hubs.
- Structured Trading Markets.
"Our goldsmiths are the backbone of Ghana’s gold value chain," Kumah stated. "But to compete, we must transition from being a raw gold exporter to a competitive global jewelry producer."
What’s Next for ArtTech?
The momentum doesn't stop here. Sue Shimmers Jewellery, in collaboration with the Art Tech Institute, CSIR-IIR, and KNUST, is currently developing a comprehensive gem-setting curriculum. This will institutionalize advanced training, ensuring a steady pipeline of world-class talent ready to carry Ghana's jewellery industry into the future.
At ArtTech, we are proud to support initiatives that blend traditional artistry with modern technology. Stay tuned for more updates on how we are shaping the future of African craftsmanship.