Kente designs are skillfully made from hand-woven strips of silk and cotton. Although beautiful, kente designs seem to have lost their value on the Ghanaian market with the influx of other types of kente from other countries.
On the Orange Sunrise show, Alfa Ali engaged in a discussion with Mr. Reuben Ameh, secretary of the Combined Traders Association. Their conversation centered around indigenous products made in Ghana, with a particular focus on the iconic Kente cloth.
Mr. Reuben Ameh highlighted the cultural and economic significance of Kente cloth in the Ghanaian market. He emphasized its value and why it should not be casually sold or used. He noted that the cloth’s popularity increases when high-profile personalities, such as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Samira Bawumia, and Sarkodie, wear it. This endorsement boosts market demand for Kente.
Despite the cloth’s popularity, Mr. Reuben expressed his disappointment at the unavailability of dedicated Kente factories in places like Bonwire, where a significant amount of Kente is produced. When Alfa Ali inquired about the difference between Kente and Fugu, Mr. Reuben explained that while the threads used for both are similar, the weaving technique for Fugu is more close to that used in Northern Kente.
He pointed out that the loom for Northern Kente is wider than the one used for other types of Kente. Further, Mr. Reuben emphasized that modern machines cannot replicate the unique quality of traditionally hand-woven Kente. He stated, “Alfa, I will bring you a machine-woven Kente from China and a hand-woven Kente from Ghana. They can never be the same.”
Expressing his disappointment, Mr. Reuben criticized how other countries, particularly China, have been allowed to produce and import Kente back into Ghana.
As we continue to remember our founding fathers and enjoy the freedom they fought for, there is a collective hope among Ghanaians that the country will focus on protecting its heritage, including vital indigenous resources like Kente.
On the Orange Sunrise, which airs every weekday from 9am to 10 a.m., significant issues such as these are discussed.
