KEYNOTE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY BROTHER MORGAN AYAWINE, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS’ UNION (ICU), GHANA AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 7^TH QUADRENNIAL DELEGATES’ CONFERENCE (QDC) OF GHANA HAIRDRESSERS AND BEAUTICIANS ASSOCIATION (GHABA) ON TUESDAY, 28^TH MAY, 2024 AT THE GNAT HALL, TAMALE

The Chairman,

The Honourable Northern Regional Minister,

The National Leadership, ICU-Ghana,

The ICU Northern Regional Officer,

The GHABA National Executives,

The GHABA Northern Regional President,

Distinguished Invited Guests,

Esteemed Conference Delegates,

Friends from the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

On this auspicious occasion of Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA) Conference, I bring to you all, fraternal greetings from the National Executive Council (NEC), National Leadership, Management and Staff of ICU-Ghana.

I’m delighted for the unique opportunity offered me to deliver the Keynote Address for this momentous 7^th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference (QDC) of GHABA.

Although I represented ICU-Ghana as Deputy General Secretary (Operations) at previous GHABA Quadrennial Delegates’ Conferences and delivered Opening and Closing Addresses, I’m here today, in my capacity as the General Secretary and Chief Executive of ICU-Ghana, to deliver the Keynote Address.

I feel so elated and greatly honoured because this is the first time in the history of ICU that GHABA is holding its National Conference in no other region than my homeland, Northern Region of Ghana.

The Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA), is one of the Informal Sector institutions in Ghana that has been officially recognized and positively impacted on the country’s socio-economic scheme of things.

The impartation of knowledge in the Hair and Beauty industry to the youth (especially females) to acquire employable skills, has saved many a female youth from the temptation of waywardness and also lessened the unemployment stigma plaguing the country. 

GHABA must thus be highly appreciated and commended for this meritorious feat which continues to serve as one of the examples of what women can do best when they are offered space and opportunities.

Having gained solid ground and firmly established in the Hair and Beauty industry, it is no wonder GHABA is now poised to migrate to its global height of technological application to align with the global practices and applications in the Hair and Beauty industry.

Technology today, is the game changer for all forms of world of work, and so if you are not compliant or technologically oriented or inclined then you would lag behind and cannot be counted among the captains of businesses and industries who drive the world.

It is therefore gratifying to note from the theme for this Conference: “LEVERAGING MODERN TECHNOLOGIES TO DRIVE A POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE HAIR AND BEAUTY INDUSTRY” that GHABA is more than ever ready and purposed to go digital in the delivery of its professional services so as to conform to the global standard and stay relevant in the Hair and Beauty industry.  

This progressive move could not have come at a more appropriate time than now as GHABA gears up for the application of modern technics in its services to the public.  This also meets the visions of one of our Global Unions - UNI Global Union and the mother Union (ICU-Ghana).

GHABA has had a chequered history in its existence but with the resilience, perseverance and fortitude of its leadership, both past and present, aided by the unflinching support of ICU-Ghana since its inception in 1972, has stayed on course, remained sustainable and relevant in the socio-economic equation of Ghana.

GHABA continues to contribute immensely to the growth and development of the Informal Sector through training of its operatives and impacting them with practical skills in the Hair and Beauty industry to reduce unemployment in the country.

GHABA, as a premier Local of ICU-Ghana, has received a long-term and varied support and guidance from the Union that has aided it to progress this far. ICU placed at the disposal of GHABA the expertise of foreign experts from Denmark and South Africa to train its Trainers in the art of Hair and Beauty industry who in turn train the members of the Association, thus the multiplying effect has been huge and impactful.

At this point, we would humbly like to appeal to the Government, through the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, to create a congenial work environment for GHABA operatives in the practice of their profession, and also be measured in the tax assessment for them, so as to help them stay in business.

As the Association gathers here today for its leadership to give account of its stewardship, review its activities, revise its constitution, elect new leadership and carve new pathways, the ICU Ghana stands stoically behind you, and present our good wishes and continued support to you in all spheres of your activities.

We are in election year, and as we draw closer to the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections in December, let us all be mindful of our civic responsibility and exercise our franchise judiciously and elect able and capable legislators and President who can bring development and progress to our constituencies and country.

We must also be cautious in our utterances and actions before, during and after the elections, so as not to breach the peace that we all so much cherish and which is a pre-requisite for development of our country.

On this note, I wish you fruitful deliberations and a very successful Conference.

Union dee, Enua ne ICU!

Touch One, Touch All!!

LONG LIVE GHABA!

LONG LIVE ICU-GHANA!!

LONG LIVE MOTHER GHANA!!!

SOLIDARITY FOREVER