Antibacterial shoes launched to fight foot-borne disease

Foot-borne diseases and Neglected Trouble Diseases (NTDs) will be minimised if not eradicated in Ghana and Africa as a whole with the launch of antibacterial shoe in Ghana on December 13, 2024, at the Zinnia Events Centre by a company called World Shoe.

The event marked a significant milestone for the company as it extended its mission to provide high-quality, durable shoes to underserved communities locally and internationally to improve lives through innovative footwear and sustainable initiatives.

The founder of World Shoe, Manny Ohonme, said at the launch that the footwear incorporates antibacterial agents to prevent harmful bacteria growth, promoting better foot health.

He said with the biodegradable EVA foam, the shoes were eco-friendly, reducing environmental impact while offering comfort and durability.

Mr Manny Ohonme also said that beyond footwear, World Shoe’s initiatives extended to providing employment, education, and health opportunities for communities around its state-of-the-art Akosombo factory.

Mr Ohonme, the visionary founder of World Shoe, captivated attendees with the story behind the company’s inception, growing up in Nigeria under challenging conditions, his life changed dramatically after receiving a pair of shoes he won in a contest.

“This transformative experience became the inspiration for World Shoe, a company dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to such life-changing opportunities.

I believe that every child deserves the opportunity to walk towards their dreams. World Shoe is more than just a business; it’s a movement committed to ensuring that no child’s future is limited by something as basic as not having shoes,” said Mr Ohonme.

Mr Kojo Taylor, president of World Shoe, highlighted World Shoe’s commitment to economic growth and sustainability in Ghana; thus, the establishment of a manufacturing factory in Akosombo, the company has created over 200 jobs, empowering local communities and contributing to Ghana’s development goals.

“We are committed to creating economic opportunities in Ghana, and we are proud of the tangible impact we have

already made. World Shoe is not just about providing shoes; it’s about empowering communities and ensuring everyone has access to the tools they need to succeed,” he highlighted.

He added that with over 11 million pairs of shoes distributed across 111 countries, World Shoe provided essential footwear to prevent foot-borne diseases while fostering hope and dignity for underprivileged individuals.

‘’With over 11 million pairs of shoes distributed to 111 countries, the company is a truly global force for good, changing the lives of countless individuals by providing access to one of the most basic yet essential human needs—shoes,’’ he said.

Mr Astor Chambers, Vice President of Marketing, World Shoe, emphasised the economic welfare the company had given to the people of Akosombo by creating jobs, providing resources, and training expertise that was never before.

Mr Chambers, touching on the target market of the product, said that the 600 million shoeless people worldwide allow the company to help minimise the risk and exposure to foot-borne diseases with the antimicrobial component in the shoes.

He mentioned that the company had multiple consumers due to the economic situation of the country, thus, apart from making online and store-purchasing outlets available for consumers, the company is ready to partner with government agencies and philanthropists who want to work to minimise the amount of shoeless people in the world.

“We are not only the people who care about doing work that goes beyond serving us, there is the number of people who want to help with big initiatives and opportunities to help other people like this, so we have those consumers that we also work with.

There are several different consumers that we have that are going to have the opportunity to help scale and accelerate what we are doing here,” he mentioned.

Source: GNA

The post Antibacterial shoes launched to fight foot-borne disease appeared first on Ghana Business News.

Read Full Story