The Ghana International Development Consortium was founded in 2010 by a group of committed citizens from Ghana, who live and work abroad. The goal of is initiative is to help Ghana in solving its social, economic, infrastructural problems and to contribute especially in the fight against youth unemployment. The Consortium wants to develop a future perspective for the youth of Ghana and to help fight against the causes of migration and lost of their lives.
A central project of the Consortium is the establishment of the Willy-Brandt University College for Applied Sciences in Bosomtwe District / Ashanti Region near Kumasi. Ghana has an artisan tradition in the field of textile design; the famous Kente fabrics dated as far as the 19th century to the present day is still manufactured by traditional wooden Looms. Also in the ceramics and glass art, there are traditions and contemporary production. The lack of technical colleges for applied design is however contrary to the development of an industry.
The Consortium has therefore initiated the establishment of a technical college, where the youth learn to shape their handicraft production through Applied Sciences. Under the instructions and apprenticeship of scientists, artists and art craftsmen from abroad, high-class level and competitiveness of today's production shall be increased and made attractive for the youth of Ghana and their occupational perspectives will be guaranteed. The first main focus has to go with the establishment of the “Faculty for Ceramics’.
As a Name patron for this initiative, the German politician and Peace prize noble bearer Willy-Brandt was chosen and the Willy-Brandt foundation endorsed the naming with pleasure. The relations between Germany and Ghana play for the foundation of the advanced technical college a special role. The Ghanaians living in Germany as well as the State of North Rheine-Westphalia have promoted the present initiative. But we´ve not yet achieved the aim and have to appeal to others interested in Supporting this initiative with extra funds before the completion and the opening of this advanced technical college will be a reality.