After five years of working as a waiter in Dubai, Ghanaian fashion designer, Emmanuel Owusu, is preparing to return home to Ghana this time, to chase the dream he put on hold.
Emmanuel, 30, moved to the United Arab Emirates in 2020 with the hope of finding better opportunities to support his family and grow his fashion career. Despite having studied fashion design and tailoring in Ghana, the harsh realities of life abroad forced him into the hospitality industry, where he currently earns 3,000 Dirhams (about GHS 10,000) a month.
I didn’t plan to become a waiter, he admitted. But I had to survive. I needed to save money and help my siblings go to school. Fashion had to wait.
Now, with years of savings, business plans, and renewed passion, Emmanuel says he’s ready to return to Ghana and start his own fashion brand. His goal is to open a small studio in Accra and specialize in modern African wear for men and women.
Even though I wasn’t working in fashion, I never stopped designing, he said. I sketched every chance I got. I sent some of my designs to tailors back home to make samples. I’ve been planning this moment for years.
According to Emmanuel, his experience working in Dubai has taught him valuable lessons about time management, customer service, and professionalism, skills he believes will give him an edge in Ghana’s competitive fashion industry.
He plans to name his brand “EO Wear” and hopes to create affordable, stylish clothing that reflects Ghanaian culture with a modern twist. He’s also considering mentoring young designers and sharing his journey to inspire others who may have paused their dreams for financial survival.
There’s nothing wrong with doing what you need to do to survive, he said. But never forget why you started. I’m going back to Ghana not just to make clothes, but to make a difference.
Emmanuel will be returning home in January 2026, and he’s optimistic about what lies ahead. For him, this is not the end of a chapter, but the beginning of a new, long-awaited one.
I’ve served tables for five years, he said. Now it’s time to serve my purpose.