By Samuel OWUSU-ADUOMI
Dear cherished readers, let us begin today’s piece with heartfelt congratulations to all Ghanaians for the peaceful conduct of the December 7 General Elections. The return to office of John Dramani Mahama as President-elect marks yet another milestone in our democratic journey.
It is a testament to the enduring strength of our institutions and our collective commitment to peaceful nation-building. Interestingly, Ghana’s success story mirrors another historic development—the re-election of President Donald Trump in the United States last month, in an election that drew global attention.
In the midst of these major political developments, a significant cultural achievement has graced our national narrative: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) recognition of Ghana’s Kente cloth as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This monumental honour celebrates Kente’s vibrancy, cultural depth and its enduring place as a symbol of Ghanaian identity. Today, I invite you to join me in exploring the profound implications of this achievement and the opportunities it offers for positioning Ghana as a global cultural powerhouse.
The significance of UNESCO recognition
The inscription of Kente onto UNESCO’s Representative List is not just an acknowledgment of its aesthetic appeal, but a celebration of its rich history and symbolic depth.
Kente cloth originated in Bonwire, a town in Ghana’s Asante Region. According to legend, two young men, Ota Karaban and Kwaku Ameyaw, learned to weave Kente cloth by observing a spider named Ananse weave its web. Ananse taught the men how to weave the intricate designs in exchange for favours.
Kente cloth is a hand-woven textile made from strips of silk and cotton. It was traditionally worn in a toga-like fashion by the Akan and Ewe people.
Kente has evolved into a national treasure, renowned for its bold colours, intricate patterns and deeply woven symbolism. Each pattern in a Kente design tells a story, representing values such as unity, resilience and progress.
UNESCO’s recognition underscores the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural traditions that define the essence of a people. It places Kente among the world’s most cherished cultural icons, cementing its place in the global cultural heritage discourse. This is a clarion call for Ghanaians to embrace, promote and safeguard this unique legacy, ensuring that future generations inherit not just the cloth, but the rich stories it carries.
Leveraging the UNESCO recognition
This recognition offers Ghana an unparalleled opportunity to elevate its global brand. Cultural heritage is a powerful tool for diplomacy, tourism and economic development, and Kente is now an even more potent symbol of Ghanaian pride on the international stage. Here’s how Ghana can leverage this achievement:
- Positioning Kente as a global cultural icon
The recognition by UNESCO adds a layer of prestige that can be harnessed to position Kente as a must-have cultural product. Ghana’s creative industry, in collaboration with policy-makers, can launch global campaigns to promote the Kente narrative. From high-fashion collaborations to museum exhibitions, Kente can become a staple on international runways and cultural showcases.
- Boosting tourism through cultural experiences
Kente can serve as a focal point for cultural tourism. Ghana can develop Kente-themed tourism packages, including workshops where tourists can learn the art of weaving, exhibitions showcasing the evolution of Kente, and festivals celebrating its cultural significance. Such initiatives can attract tourists who are eager to experience the authenticity of Ghanaian culture.
- Economic empowerment for artisans
The Kente industry, largely driven by local artisans, stands to benefit immensely. With increased demand comes the potential for job creation and community empowerment. Government and private sector stakeholders must invest in training, modern tools and sustainable practices to help artisans scale their craft to meet international demand without compromising quality.
- Educational and cultural diplomacy
Kente’s global recognition offers Ghana a platform to share its rich history and values with the world. Cultural exchange programmes, exhibitions in international museums and partnerships with educational institutions can use Kente as a gateway to showcase Ghanaian ingenuity, history and creativity.
Safeguarding the legacy of Kente
As we celebrate this global milestone, it is imperative that we safeguard the authenticity of Kente. The rising popularity of Kente-inspired designs has led to a proliferation of mass-produced imitations that threaten the heritage of the craft. Strong intellectual property protections, certification systems for genuine Kente, and public education campaigns are necessary to ensure that the benefits of this recognition flow to the communities that have preserved this tradition for generations.
The role of every Ghanaian
The success of leveraging UNESCO’s recognition is not solely the responsibility of the government or artisans. Every Ghanaian has a role to play. We must wear our Kente with pride, support local artisans and become ambassadors of our culture. Let us take advantage of social media platforms to share the stories behind the patterns and colours of Kente, projecting Ghana’s image as a nation rich in history and creativity.
Ghana’s recognition on the UNESCO list is a celebration of our collective heritage and creativity. It comes at a time when the world is searching for authentic cultural expressions that inspire unity and resilience—values deeply embedded in the Kente cloth.
Partnering diaspora for sustainable promotion
Ghana’s cultural heritage is rich and unique, with iconic symbols like Kente cloth and Adinkra patterns serving as powerful emblems of our identity. The recent UNESCO recognition of Kente cloth as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity amplifies the opportunity to promote these symbols on the global stage. One group that stands out as a vital partner in this effort is the Ghanaian and African diaspora.
Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora are uniquely positioned to serve as cultural ambassadors, leveraging their influence in fields such as fashion, sports and entertainment. By targeting this dynamic community and empowering them to celebrate and showcase our heritage, we can unlock immense opportunities to elevate Ghana’s brand globally.
Why the diaspora matters
Ghanaians and Africans in the diaspora possess significant cultural, social and economic capital. They are at the crossroads of cultures, with access to global platforms and audiences, making them ideal channels for promoting Ghanaian culture. Their pride in their heritage often finds expression in their choices of clothing, art and symbols, making Kente and Adinkra powerful tools for storytelling and identity.
The diaspora also represents a bridge between Africa and the world. Through their engagement with global industries – including fashion, sports and entertainment, they can amplify the reach of Ghana’s cultural icons and create ripple-effects in markets that might otherwise remain untapped.
Strategies to engage the diaspora
- Fashion: Making Kente and Adinkra global fashion staples
Fashion is a universal language that transcends borders and the Ghanaian diaspora has already shown its ability to influence global trends.
- Diaspora designers and brands: Partner with Ghanaian designers in the diaspora to create modern and versatile Kente and Adinkra-inspired clothing lines. These could include casual wear, accessories and high-end fashion pieces that appeal to international markets.
- Cultural fashion weeks: Host ‘Kente and Adinkra Fashion Week’ events in cities with significant African diaspora populations, such as London, New York and Toronto. These events can spotlight the beauty of Ghanaian textiles and educate audiences about their cultural significance.
- Collaborations with global brands: Encourage collaborations between Ghanaian designers and global fashion houses to incorporate Kente and Adinkra motifs into mainstream collections. This could mirror the success of African-inspired collaborations like those seen with Nike and Gucci.
- Sports: Showcasing Ghanaian symbols on global platforms
The sports arena provides an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Ghanaian cultural symbols to a massive global audience.
- Athletic gear: Partner with Ghanaian and African diaspora athletes to incorporate Kente and Adinkra motifs into their sportswear. For example, football jerseys, track suits and other athletic apparel can proudly feature these designs during international competitions.
- Diaspora athletes as ambassadors: Collaborate with prominent Ghanaian and African athletes in the diaspora to act as cultural ambassadors, promoting Ghanaian heritage through their personal branding.
- Major sporting events: During global sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games or NBA Africa games, showcase Ghanaian symbols in fan zones, merchandise and cultural exhibitions.
- Entertainment: Infusing Ghanaian culture into global pop culture
The entertainment industry is a powerful vehicle for promoting cultural symbols, and Ghanaian artists in the diaspora are already making waves.
- Music and music videos: Collaborate with Ghanaian musicians in the diaspora, such as Afrobeats and Highlife artists, to prominently feature Kente and Adinkra in their music videos and performances.
- Film and television: Work with filmmakers and actors of Ghanaian descent to include Kente and Adinkra in movie costumes, set designs and storylines that celebrate Ghanaian heritage.
- Cultural festivals: Support diaspora-led cultural festivals such as Afrochella and Afro Nation, ensuring that Ghanaian symbols are prominently displayed and celebrated.
- Social media and digital campaigns
The digital space offers a cost-effective way to reach global audiences.
- Diaspora influencers: Engage social media influencers of Ghanaian descent to promote Kente and Adinkra through creative content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
- Storytelling campaigns: Develop storytelling campaigns that explain the meanings behind Kente patterns and Adinkra symbols, connecting them to values like unity, strength and resilience.
- Hashtags and challenges: Launch viral campaigns such as #WearYourHeritage, encouraging people to post pictures of themselves in Kente or Adinkra-inspired outfits, tagging Ghana and sharing their personal stories.
- Economic empowerment and partnerships
To sustain these efforts, there must be direct benefits for the artisans and communities that create Kente and Adinkra.
- Diaspora investments: Encourage members of the diaspora to invest in the textile and cultural industries in Ghana, supporting local artisans and creating jobs.
- E-commerce platforms: Create online marketplaces specifically targeted at the diaspora, making it easy for them to purchase authentic Kente and Adinkra products directly from Ghanaian artisans.
- Diaspora-owned stores: Promote Ghanaian-owned retail stores and pop-ups in major diaspora cities, focusing on authentic Kente and Adinkra items.
The Ghanaian and African diaspora are powerful allies in promoting our cultural heritage. By strategically engaging them in fashion, sports and entertainment, we can amplify the reach of Kente and Adinkra symbols and position them as global icons. These efforts will not only boost Ghana’s cultural and economic influence, but also create a stronger sense of identity and pride among Ghanaians worldwide.
Conclusion
The recognition of Kente cloth by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a proud moment for Ghana, celebrating the richness of our culture and creativity. It is more than a tribute to our heritage; it is an opportunity to preserve, promote and elevate our cultural symbols—such as Kente and Adinkra—on the global stage.
The Ghanaian and African diaspora play a vital role in this effort, serving as cultural ambassadors who can amplify these symbols through fashion, sports and entertainment, while bridging Ghana to the rest of the world.
As we embrace this milestone, let us work collectively to support the artisans who sustain these traditions, inspire pride in our heritage and tell our stories with authenticity and purpose. By uniting as a nation—at home and abroad—we can ensure that Ghana’s cultural symbols become global icons of resilience, unity and creativity.
Together, we can weave the brilliance of Ghana into the fabric of global culture, showcasing the unique identity and enduring spirit of our nation. Long live our heritage, and long live Ghana!
