story by: Juliet Obeng Ansah
In a world where young women are often encouraged to pursue careers in finance, healthcare, or fashion, few venture into the world of clay, kilns, and craft. Yet, within Ghana’s ceramics studios, a quiet revolution is taking place—led by women whose artistry, strength, and persistence are reshaping what it means to build with one’s hands.
One of these changemakers is Araba, a student of Ceramics at the Department of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Her journey into ceramics tells a powerful story of creativity, courage, and resilience.
From Play to Purpose
Growing up in a clay-rich community, Araba first saw craftwork as child’s play—simply “making things out of clay.” Like many girls, she never imagined that those playful experiments could grow into a profession. In many Ghanaian homes, craft is still seen as a pastime, not a pathway to prosperity.
“As I learned more about ceramics,” Araba explains, “I realized it’s not just about shaping clay—it’s about understanding the science and culture behind it. Clay and other mineral components shape our environment and even influence the materials we use every day.”
That awakening turned her childhood curiosity into a lifelong pursuit.
The Struggles of a Woman in Clay
For many women like Araba, the journey into ceramics comes with challenges that go beyond the classroom. The lack of mentorship, limited access to exhibition spaces, and persistent gender stereotypes often make the road lonely.
“Sometimes, people laugh or question why a woman would study ceramics,” she says. “They think it’s too technical or too ‘dirty’ for women. But I know the value of what I’m learning—it’s art, science, and culture combined.”
Her biggest struggle, however, is the absence of visible female mentors in the field. With few women potters and ceramic artists recognized nationally, young learners often find it hard to see themselves thriving in the craft.
“When you can’t see anyone who looks like you succeeding, it’s easy to feel invisible,” Araba admits. “But I’ve learned to let that push me harder.”
The Promise of a Growing Industry
Despite the challenges, Araba believes the future of ceramics in Ghana holds great promise—especially for women. The industry connects art, engineering, and environmental sustainability. It offers career paths in material science, contemporary art, industrial design, and research—fields that are vital to national development.
“With the right investment, ceramics can be a major source of income and innovation,” she notes. “It’s not just art—it’s industry.”
Breaking the Mold
The story of women in ceramics is more than a tale of personal ambition. It is a call for institutions, policymakers, and investors to see the potential that lies in Ghana’s creative industries and to empower young women to claim their place in them.
Women like Araba are not just molding clay; they are shaping Ghana’s cultural identity, economy, and future. What they need now is visibility, mentorship, and sustained investment—not sympathy.
It’s time to put women at the center of Ghana’s creative growth story.
It’s time to let their hands shape the future.
