It isn’t every day that you stumble upon a woman bending metal in the average Ghanaian society. Yet, Emma Dadzie defies the norm with every strike of her hammer. Her strength is not just in her ability to weld and forge metals but in her daring decision to step into a realm dominated by men.
“I was a food vendor. I used to sell rice. It was a lucrative business until COVID-19 disrupted it, and I had to stay at home,” Emma recounts the devastating impact of the pandemic on her livelihood. As a single mother of three, she faced financial ruin. Her resources dwindled rapidly, and in her moment of desperation, she wished she had acquired a vocational skill to sustain her family. With only a junior high school education, she had no fallback plan.
Hope arrived through a friend who introduced her to the PASEWAY project. When Emma shared her plight, she was encouraged to take advantage of PASEWAY’s free training in soft and technical skills. Despite her worries about balancing childcare with regular classes, Emma resolved, “I know that I can accomplish this.” The soft skills training transformed her understanding of business. “We were taught how to start a business, charge for our services without making losses, save, and relate to customers,” she explains, highlighting the profound impact of the training on her entrepreneurial mindset.
Choosing aluminum fabrication for her technical training was a game-changer. Inspired by seeing another woman excel in the trade, Emma found her passion. “I knew I made the right decision,” she reflects, now a professional in aluminum fabrication. Her determination paid off as she mastered the craft.
Today, Emma receives multiple orders weekly, particularly for showcases, which are currently in high demand. Beyond financial stability, she has earned respect from her peers and community. Contrary to fears that clients might doubt her capabilities, Emma proudly shares, “People are amazed and love to work with me because they never imagined a woman could do the work that I do.”
The PASEWAY project is not only equipping young people with essential skills and experience but also shattering gender barriers in the workplace. Emma Dadzie’s journey is a powerful testament to this, showcasing that with resilience and opportunity, the extraordinary becomes possible.
