Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife Samira adorned in Kente
Ghana has achieved a significant milestone by securing Geographical Indication (GI) status for the iconic Kente cloth.
This recognition protects Kente’s authenticity and cultural heritage, ensuring only traditionally woven fabrics from designated Ghanaian communities can be marketed as genuine Kente.
The GI status boosts Kente’s global market value, supports local weavers, and promotes cultural tourism. Kente now joins the ranks of globally protected treasures like Champagne, Tequila, and Darjeeling tea. This achievement underscores Ghana’s commitment to preserving its cultural identity and promoting economic growth through heritage protection.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Registrar-General’s Department, announced the milestone at a colourful ceremony in Accra. The event was attended by traditional leaders, weavers, policymakers, and representatives from international organisations, all of whom hailed the decision as a long overdue step in protecting Ghana’s indigenous heritage.
The announcement made by The Asante Nation, an X platform created to promote Asante Kingdom, applauded these achievements.
The Asante Nation wrote, “History has been made! Ghana has officially secured Geographical Indication (GI) status for Kente cloth, protecting it globally as a true Ghanaian heritage.
“This means only authentic Kente, woven in Ghana using traditional methods, can bear the name “Kente”. Just like Champagne must come from France, Kente now belongs, legally and proudly, to Ghana. But behind this global victory stands the heartbeat of it all, Bonwire, the home of Kente. Generations of master weavers from this historic Asante town have turned threads into stories, patterns into pride, and craftsmanship into culture.”
“Today, the world celebrates Ghana but we say: Ayekoo to the People of Bonwire, your hands have woven Ghana’s name into history!” it added.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke