Former banker Fred Deegbe is on a mission to prove that quality shoes can be made in Ghana.
Courtesy Heel The World Shoes
Friendly pursuit —
In 2011, Deegbe (left) teamed up with friend Vijay Manu to start a high-end shoemaking company based in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Jessica Ellis/CNN
Stylish designs —
Called Heel The World (HTW), the company produces a variety of upmarket bespoke shoes and leather accessories.
Courtesy Heel The World Shoes
Young guns —
Currently the company, which began operations inside the garage of Deegbe's parents, has five full-time employees, all under the age of 30.
Courtesy Heel The World Shoes
Creative solutions —
"The house is the best way for us to start because we cut costs," says Deegbe.
Jessica Ellis/CNN
High end, high price —
Shoes are priced at between $200 and $400, which would be considered expensive in most places, let alone Ghana where many people struggle financially.
Courtesy Heel The World Shoes
Bang for your buck —
"You have to convince people that these things can be made here, and these things are worth all the money we are asking for," says Deegbe.
Courtesy Heel The World Shoes
Celebrating success —
HTW has also started producing accessories such "empowerment beads" -- glass and brass bracelets designed to represent the hard work that goes into reaching a goal.
Courtesy Heel The World Shoes
Big aspirations —
Deegbe is determined to put Ghana firmly on the map of luxury shoemaking: "Eventually people will not think of HTW and question it anymore -- people will think about it and think quality and think the most awesome brand coming out of Africa," he says.
