For decades, Ghanaian girls have been required to shave their hair throughout basic school—a rule that appears simple on the surface but carries enormous economic consequences. What started as a colonial disciplinary tactic has grown into a silent economic system where Ghanaian women spend millions of cedis every year to replace the cultural skills and confidence erased during childhood. 

Hair is not just hair.

Hair is economics.

And Ghana’s policies have created an entire generation of women who unknowingly feed a foreign-dominated beauty industry. 

A Rule That Disrupts a Girl’s Economic Growth Before It Begins

When Ghanaian girls are forced to shave their hair, they lose more than cultural identity. They lose the opportunity to: 

- learn how to maintain their natural hair

- practice basic grooming from childhood

- acquire threading, twisting, and braiding skills

- become confident in their hair texture 

Instead of growing up learning how to manage their God-given hair, they enter adulthood unprepared — and vulnerable to an expensive beauty market. 

The Wig Industry Thrives Because Natural Hair Education Was Broken

Ghana imports hundreds of millions of cedis worth of synthetic hair, weaves, extensions, and relaxers every year. Most of these products come from: 

- China

- India

- Brazil

- Vietnam 

Because our school system trained generations of girls to feel uncomfortable with their natural hair. 

Vocational Skills Lost: The Economic Damage Nobody Talks About

Before colonial schools, Ghanaian girls learned hair skills at home, starting as early as age 6 or 7. By age 12, most could: 

- braid cornrows

- thread hair

- twist natural hair

- create protective styles

- prepare herbs and natural moisturisers 

These were not just cultural skills. They were economic skills. 

A 12-year-old girl who could braid had: 

- side income

- community respect

- a vocational foundation

- entrepreneurial potential 

But a 12-year-old girl whose hair has been shaved her whole school life has no hair to practice on, no skills, no confidence, and no foundation for entrepreneurship. 

The Hidden Cost to Parents

Parents do not realise how much they spend because of this rule. When girls’ natural hair is not nurtured from childhood, parents must later spend on: 

- weekly wig installations

- braids and weaves

- synthetic hair

- relaxers

- hair treatments

- salon visits

- hair products 

These costs build up quietly. 

The Lost African Beauty Economy

If Ghanaian girls were allowed to grow their natural hair and learn to maintain it: 

- threading studios would grow

- natural hair salons would expand

- local product manufacturers would rise

- herbalists and formulators would find new markets

- community salons would multiply

- young girls could start braiding for income 

Time for Ghana to Reinvent Its Grooming Policies

Revising the hair-cutting rule is not just cultural. It is economic. 

It is time to stop cutting our girls’ hair — and start building their economic future.

This paper is authored by Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, Founder and Lead Consultant at Global Economic Research Consulting (GERC). She is an international law and economics professional with advanced training in international economic law, sustainable development, and economic policy. Dr. Ayangbah uses her interdisciplinary background to analyse social issues, advocate for women’s empowerment, and promote culturally grounded development solutions in Africa.