Mrs. Awurabena Okrah established Winglow Clothes and Textiles Limited in 1985 in Ghana. While Winglow grew successfully over the years, Mrs. Okrah realized she needed to provide more training opportunities for her apprentices and staff. She enrolled in the Executive Business Growth Program run by African Aurora Business Network, where she learned how to develop training modules. This led her to launch Winglow Fashion Academy, which provides one-month training programs in the fashion industry. The academy also began producing construction apparel to support the program. With the help of AABN, Mrs. Okrah was able to expand her business and create more jobs through Winglow Fashion Academy.

1. SUCCESS STORY- MRS. AWURABENA OKRAH
Mrs. Awurabena Okrah, CEO-Winglow Clothes and Textiles Limited
Mrs. Awurabena Okrah is the Chief Executive Officer of Winglow Clothes and Textiles Limited
(Winglow), in Ghana. She established Winglow in 1985 with the vision of becoming a recognized
world leader in the designing and production of quality clothing and embroidered fabrics;
providing jobs and economic opportunities to staff, excellent service to clients while generating
attractive returns for all stakeholders.
Winglow started as a small outfit sewing for individuals and later for such big organizations as the
police, the military, private security companies and some corporate institutions. With time, she
ventured into production on large scale and exporting finished clothes to US, Europe and some
other parts of the Africa. Today, the company designs its own materials with Ghanaian symbols
which make them unique and attractive for the export market.

2. Front view of Winglow Clothes and Textiles Limited
Despite these successes chalked, Mrs. Okrah realized that part of her vision which was, ‘providing
jobs and economic opportunities for her staff’, was not been achieved. According to her, Winglow
faced the problem of its apprentice lingering in the company despite completing their
apprenticeship. Thus, leading to the restriction in the intake of new apprentices.
With the idea of providing short term courses in the fashion industry and increasing the
apprenticeship intake, it was up to Mrs. Okrah to figure out how to provide practical hands-on
training to them.
“I wanted to share my 30 years of experience in the fashion industry with aspiring entrepreneurs
in the fashion industry within a short period. However, I did not know how to develop training
modules in order to actualize this idea. Nor did I know where to find information,” she said.
Mrs. Okrah is not alone. The problems besetting entrepreneurship in Ghana and most sub-Saharan
states are multifaceted, though, not without hope. Despite the recognition given to
entrepreneurship and small business development in Ghana and other developing countries,
entrepreneurs still face myriad of challenges like technical know-how to diverse into other field of
interest.

3. To address this problem, African Aurora Business Network (AABN), a leading business advisory
service-focused enterprise development organization, launched the Executive Business Growth
Program (EBGP) as part of the Youth Inclusive Entrepreneurial Development Initiative for
Employment (YIEDIE).
The EBGP provides business development services and advisory services to young entrepreneurs
and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the construction value chain. The EBGP
supports the beneficiaries through a modular approach to provide them with access to local and
global networks and opportunities.
YIEDIE is creating economic opportunities for youth ages 17-24 in Ghana’s construction sector
by training young women and men in technical construction skills and helping youth to grow and
start small businesses. It is increasing collaboration and support against construction sector
stakeholders to improve their enabling environment.
Mrs. Okrah with other SME owners undergoing training at AABN
Mrs. Awurabena Okrah enrolled in the EBGP in October 2015 and was trained by the AABN team
of Certified Technical and Business Advisors on how to develop a systematic and flexible training
modules.

4. Sample of construction apparels at WinFA Bazaar
After six months of enrollment in the EBGP, Mrs. Okrah launched Winglow Fashion Academy
(WinFA) to provide practical and hands-on training to the youth within a month. What more, she
introduced the sewing of construction apparels to satisfy the construction requirement of the EBGP
as part of the YIEDIE.
“Without the help from AABN, I would not have been able to establish WinFA,” Mrs. Okrah said.
“I am so happy that I can now create jobs and economic opportunities for the youth in general.”
Mrs. Okrah with some of her students at WinFA

5. As an EBGP SME alumnus, Mrs. Okrah through WinFA would provide professional and technical
training to selected youth within the construction value chain. She would also provide mentorship
and coaching during AABN training programs both in Greater Accra Region and other selected
regions.
Mrs. Awurabena Okrah is currently a finalist of the annual Regional Symposium and Awards
Ceremony organized by AABN and CEO Global. For the past 16 years, this prestigious event has
uplifted and recognized the efforts of leading men and women across the African continent.
“Deepen your passion for Fashion in the shortest possible time.” Contact WinFA on 0208140456
or winglowfashionacademy@gmail.com
African Aurora Business Network (AABN) has provided 10 years of excellent Business
Advisory Services and training for young entrepreneurs, women and SMEs. AABN serves its
numerous clients through a team of accredited and experienced Certified Business Advisors with
a total of 140 years expertise in SME development globally. Part of our mission is to empower
Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), stakeholders and its environment through
strategic partnerships.
AABN is currently celebrating a decade of global impact, agribusiness development, women
enterprise development, innovations through training and business advisory services, while
empowering the youth in sustainable enterprise. AABN is powered by 50 Certified Business
Advisors with over 20 years of experience in youth enterprise development and SME advisory
services.
This year, over 1,000 young entrepreneurs, SMEs and actors in the construction value chain will
receive business development and advisory services on scholarship from the YEBGP as part of the
YIEDIE project. Aspiring entrepreneurs and SME leaders can apply by contacting the AABN
Helpline on 0302225078 or info@aabn.org.gh