Ghana’s beauty and wellness industry is set to receive its first comprehensive, evidence-based assessment following a stakeholder technical workshop held in Accra to kick-start the development of the inaugural Ghana Beauty & Wellness Report.
The workshop, organised by Makeup Ghana, organisers of the Ghana Beauty Awards, in collaboration with senior faculty of the College of Humanities, University of Ghana, brought together stakeholders from government institutions, regulatory bodies, academia, financial institutions, development organisations, industry associations, training institutions and the private sector.
The engagement was part of activities marking the 10th Ghana Beauty Awards under the theme, “10 Years of Impact: The Legacy Era.”
The proposed report is expected to address the longstanding gap in reliable data and documentation on Ghana’s beauty and wellness sector.
It will examine the industry’s economic contribution, business landscape, workforce and employment, skills development, consumer trends, manufacturing, standards and regulation, access to finance, investment opportunities, challenges and prospects for sustainable growth.
The Founder and CEO of Makeup Ghana, Lady Rebecca Donkor, said the initiative was intended to move discussions about the industry from anecdotal accounts to credible data capable of supporting decision-making.
“For years, we have spoken about the size and potential of Ghana’s beauty and wellness industry. This report is about giving those conversations an evidence base,” she said.
She said the report would help stakeholders understand the industry, measure its contribution, identify gaps and provide information to support policy, investment, enterprise development and the growth of people working in the sector.
Providing academic and strategic leadership for the project is Associate Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at the College of Humanities, University of Ghana, Professor Sheena Lovia Boateng, who serves as Chair of the Steering Committee and Lead Researcher.
The initiative brings together academia, regulators, government institutions, development partners and industry stakeholders to ensure that the report is based on credible methodology, relevant indicators, reliable data and diverse perspectives.
The Steering Committee comprises professionals with expertise in finance, beauty and wellness, entrepreneurship, law and technology, including representatives from the Bank of Ghana, Marie Noelle Spa, the beauty industry, Skin Gourmet, Reviv Ghana, Everything Beauty GH, the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, and Safiyo AI and Data on Africa.
Participants at the workshop discussed issues including the size and structure of the beauty and wellness industry, its economic and employment potential, the number and profile of businesses and practitioners, skills development and professionalisation, standards, regulation and certification, access to finance and investment.
They also examined local manufacturing and value addition, consumer behaviour and market trends, opportunities and challenges affecting competitiveness, as well as policy recommendations and strategies for sustainable sector development.
Following the workshop, the Steering Committee and research team will refine the research framework, identify and collect relevant data, undertake further stakeholder consultations, analyse the findings and compile the report.
Meanwhile Makeup Ghana has appealed to businesses, brands, institutions, development partners, financial organisations and individuals to support the completion and publication of the report through sponsorship, advertising, partnerships, data contributions and other forms of support.
The organisers said the success of the initiative would depend on stakeholders’ commitment to documenting the industry, generating credible data and building a stronger foundation for its future development.
