Naana Djan, also known as Eunice Djan Otoo, is a self-made entrepreneur, fashion and textiles designer, registered exporter, voice dubbing artist, and philanthropist from Ghana. She has become an inspiration to many women around the world for her commitment to empowering needy girls through fashion. Naana’s life journey has been far from easy, and she has faced countless hurdles to achieve her dreams. Nonetheless, she persevered, and her success story is one that deserves to be told.
Early Life and Education
Naana Djan was born in the golden town of Obuasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana. She started her basic school education at St. Thomas Catholic School in Obuasi before moving on to Laterbiokorshie LB1 in Accra. As a child, she was always fascinated by fashion and textiles, and this led her to study visual arts at the Ultimate School of Arts before moving on to Biriwa NVTI for her fashion education.
Her passion for fashion and textiles continued to grow, and she pursued a Higher National Diploma in fashion and textiles technology and beauty care at the Cape Coast Technical University. This education set her on the path to becoming a successful fashion entrepreneur and empowering young girls through fashion.
Career and Achievements
Naana Djan’s love for fashion goes beyond just designing and creating clothes. She is also an advocate for empowering women, especially young girls, to pursue their dreams and build sustainable livelihoods through fashion. Naana used her talents and skills to build a successful business and give back to her community.
Naana Djan is the founder and CEO of Fritzwa Creations, an exporter of solely made-in-Ghana goods to the rest of the world. By doing so, she is not only contributing to the Ghanaian economy by bringing in foreign exchange but also promoting Ghanaian culture and fashion on a global scale. The business specializes in the design and production of African print clothing, bags, and accessories. The company has become a household name in Ghana, and its products are exportedoutside the country.
Naana’s dedication to empowering young girls led her to establish Fritzwa International, a foundation that trains young girls, particularly single mothers, in fashionable handicrafts for free. The training program provides a lifeline for many young girls who would otherwise have limited opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families. The foundation has trained hundreds of girls in Ghana and also trained women in Sierra Leone.
Fritzwa International is into vocational training in fashion and textiles such as pattern drafting, garments making, hats and toys, bead making, fashion accessories, leather works, batik tie and dye, screen printing among others. They also provide counseling, mentorship and coaching to help women start and grow their businesses, as well as introducing them to exportation of their products which will help them sell their products as soon as possible.
Naana Djan’s commitment to empowering young girls and promoting Ghanaian culture through fashion has earned her recognition both locally and internationally.
Challenges and Resilience
Naana Djan’s journey has not been without its challenges. Like many businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruptions to her business and forced her to lay off most of her workers. The high cost of raw materials also made production expensive, making it difficult to sustain her business and support her foundation.
Despite these challenges, Naana remains steadfast in her commitment to empowering women and building a successful business. She sees herself as a huge fashion brand and a household name in the next ten years. Her ultimate goal is to inspire other women to pursue their dreams and build sustainable livelihoods through their talents and skills.
Naana Djan is a true hero and a source of inspiration to many young girls in Ghana and beyond. Her commitment to empowering women and promoting Ghanaian culture through fashion is a true reflection of her character and values. Naana’s life is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and hard work, and her journey as an exporter and philanthropist will continue to inspire generations to come.
