Sewing Machines Help Students in Ghana Become Self-Sufficient

If a bit of word play be permitted, Fashion Design students at the Essipun Technical Institute (ETI) in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana can now declare, “As we sew, so shall we reap.” Through a donation of industrial and manual sewing machines from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 19 August, 2025, these students look forward to a prosperous future resulting from their developing skills empowered by the donation.

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When the government of Ghana implemented a policy of free tuition for high schools and technical schools across the country, many of these schools suddenly became overwhelmed with the influx of students. Over the course of four years, enrolment at the ETI skyrocketed from 15 to over 1000 students and instruction expanded to include courses such as building and engineering trades, business trades, and notably for the handover, Fashion Design. However, as a result of the rapid growth, students often find themselves learning theory without the ability to apply practical skills since supplies and equipment are in short supply, not growing at the same rate as enrollment.

The Institute does have a few machines, but they are insufficient to meet the demands of the growing student population. Although tuition is free, school supplies and equipment are not provided by the government, so students must bring their own. If their parents cannot afford one, the students just watch their classmates sew, and although they learn theory, they do not get any practical, hands-on experience using the tools of the trade.

Recognizing the need, school officials sent many request letters to NGO’s and to government officials, but until The Church’s donation, no one had been able to help them with these concerns. The 20 industrial sewing machines, 20 hand-powered sewing machines, and the 15 irons donated will help alleviate the learning constraint.  Notably, the donation was supported by the schools’ woodworking students who built the tables and benches necessary for using the machines. So now, the 250-300 students enrolled in the Fashion Design course have a way to convert their learning of theory into marketable skills that allow for self-sufficiency.

To begin the ceremony, the Guest of Honor, Mrs. Nana Kofi Abuna V, who is the local traditional Chief of Essipun, was introduced to the audience as “a mother with education at her heart. She serves as a mentor to all female students.” In her remarks to students, staff, and visitors, she noted, “With our leaders, we seek the welfare of our people. So does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are also in our communities to do welfare donations to our children, and especially our girls. They have demonstrated their love. So what do you have to do as beneficiaries? Learn. Act. Use it wisely so that the world's sustainability will also remain.”

Turning her comments towards The Church representatives present, she said, “God bless you for your good and your good hearts. We human beings look at [a person’s] outside. God looks into our hearts. As a chief, I will say, you have a good heart. May God bless you.”

President Jacob Helland, President of the Takoradi Ghana Mission of The Church, took occasion in his remarks to reflect on the parable of the talents as recorded in Matthew 25.  After explaining that God expects us to develop the skills and talents He has given us, he applied that teaching to spiritual as well as technical education: “We believe that one of the attributes of our Father in Heaven is that He knows everything.  He is boundless in His intelligence and His glory. The glory of God is intelligence.

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“Our church is very focused on helping everyone to grow in their knowledge, not just knowledge of things in the world, but also spiritual knowledge. Learning about God, learning about his teachings, living by them, is equally if not more important than learning how to provide for ourselves and increasing our knowledge of worldly things.”

Sister Sondra Ostler, a senior humanitarian missionary who, along with her husband helped facilitate the donation, followed up with these comments: “As you use these sewing machines, as you learn how to build buildings, as you learn electrical, as you learn computers, it is good you learn and learn well so you can help your families, but most importantly, so you can serve others. Jesus spent his whole life going about doing good. Spend your life going about doing good.”

The Ceremony was joyous and included a sprinkling of cultural performances by student dancers, as well as a drill exhibition by the military cadets at the school. As the program ended, the school chaplain, Pastor David Komlagah, Head Pastor of Paradise City of Faith Sanctuary in Sekondi-Takoradi, made this supplication in his benediction:  “We pray for many blessings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We pray for their missionaries as they move around the nations of the world. We pray for the church to grow and become mighty and greater on the land.”

Humanitarian efforts such as this continue to bring The Church out of obscurity; open doors; correct misconceptions; and build government, community, and interfaith relations throughout the nations of the Africa West Area of The Church.