Local Workshop Highlights Skills Of Remarkable Disabled Artisan And Challenges Stigma
Accra, Ghana – August 13, 2025 – In a bold step towards dismantling stigma and creating real opportunities for persons with disabilities, OSEI Collective has successfully hosted its much-anticipated Tie & Dye Tote Bag Workshop at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre in Accra.
The event drew together a diverse group of participants — from seasoned craft enthusiasts to first-time learners — united by the desire to master the intricate art of tie and dye under the guidance of remarkable disabled artisan, Nora Hlordzi.
The workshop formed part of OSEI Collective’s ongoing social impact initiatives designed to empower persons with disabilities through skills training, market access, and entrepreneurial opportunities. In a society where stigma and systemic exclusion too often deprive disabled individuals of fair chances to showcase their talent, this event stood as a strong statement: disability is not inability.
Speaking at the workshop, Jessica Quelennec, Founder of OSEI Collective, stressed the importance of such initiatives.
“Workshops like this don’t just teach a skill. They dismantle barriers. They open minds. And they create real market pathways for artisans with disabilities who have been excluded for far too long,” she said.
Shifting Perceptions Through Hands-On Engagement
Nora, an accomplished expert in batik and tie-dye, led participants through both traditional and contemporary techniques, blending cultural heritage with modern creativity. Every attendee left not just with a tote bag of their own design, but also with a renewed appreciation for the craftsmanship and entrepreneurship that disabled artisans contribute to Ghana’s creative economy.
The atmosphere was one of learning, connection, and mutual respect. For many, it was their first direct interaction with an artisan with a disability, breaking down preconceived notions and replacing them with admiration for skill and creativity.
From Charity To Capability
Unlike initiatives that position persons with disabilities solely as recipients of charity, OSEI Collective focuses on showcasing their capabilities and ensuring they earn dignified incomes. The workshop attracted locals, expatriates, and tourists — audiences who might not otherwise encounter such artisans’ work in mainstream markets.
By facilitating these direct interactions, OSEI Collective is shifting the narrative from dependence to self-reliance, from charity to commerce.
A Broader Mission For Inclusion
This workshop is part of OSEI Collective’s wider mission to promote economic inclusion by equipping persons with disabilities with entrepreneurial skills, increasing their visibility, and connecting them with paying customers.
The organization has pledged to continue rolling out similar programs, giving more artisans the tools and opportunities they need to strengthen their livelihoods.
As Nora’s story and artistry inspired the participants, the event reinforced a powerful message — disability inclusion is not a side note in Ghana’s creative industry, but a vibrant and essential part of it.
Media Contact
Clarence Pappoe
Operations Assistant, OSEI Collective
+233 242 307 801 | clarence@oseicollective.org
About OSEI Collective
OSEI Collective is a nonprofit, grassroots-led organization empowering persons with disabilities in Ghana through capacity building, skills development, and entrepreneurship. Rejecting traditional charity models, its work is rooted in dignity, capability, and inclusion — creating pathways to self-reliance and economic empowerment rather than dependency.
