Accra Technical University (ATU) has introduced a Higher National Diploma (HND) programme in Paramedical Trichology, a field focused on the scientific study and management of hair and scalp conditions.
The programme, developed with Abrantie College, aims to create a structured academic path for practitioners in a sector that has largely depended on informal training and short courses.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, the Vice Chancellor of ATU, said the university’s training must respond to market needs.
“We cannot continue to train young people only for traditional occupations while new professions and economic opportunities are emerging,” he said.
Acakpovi explained that paramedical trichology combines science, healthcare, beauty and wellness, technology, and professional practice.
He said the programme would give students the scientific foundation and practical skills to understand hair and scalp health, identify common conditions, and provide appropriate non-medical interventions.
Practitioners would also learn to recognise conditions that require referral for qualified medical care.
The Vice Chancellor noted the initiative matters because many people with hair and scalp conditions often turn to products or practitioners without adequate scientific training.
He encouraged prospective students and existing practitioners to view trichology as a science-based and evolving professional field, moving beyond traditional perceptions of the beauty industry.
He also called for the creation of a professional body to regulate the field and promote competence, ethics, and professionalism.
Dr Clement Apaak, the Deputy Minister of Education, said in a speech read on his behalf that the programme has been accredited at Level Five of Ghana’s eight-level National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Qualifications Framework.
He said the initiative responds to an identified skills gap in the beauty and wellness industry and serves as an example of how the TVET system can adapt to emerging occupations.
“TVET is no longer an alternative. It is a powerful pathway to innovation and entrepreneurship, employment and national transformation,” Apaak said.
He encouraged students to take their studies seriously, develop their competencies, embrace innovation, and maintain high standards of professionalism.
Dr Grace Amey Obeng, Chairperson of the Beauty and Wellness Sector Skills Body, said Ghana could become a destination of choice for Africans seeking progressive education in the beauty industry.
She noted that many Ghanaian beauty professionals have historically had limited opportunities to advance academically after obtaining their first qualification.
“The new programmes are expected to help address that gap by creating opportunities for continuous professional development and specialisation without requiring professionals to look beyond Ghana’s borders,” she said.
Source: Ghana Business News