Tourism experts are advocating for the sustainable development of Ewe Kente weaving in Klikor and Agbozume, Ghana, to preserve its cultural identity and boost the local economy. Mr. Joel Degue, a tourism expert and advocate, made the call at the Denneny Kente Foundation's World Tourism Day celebration in Klikor. The event aimed to promote Ewe Kente and highlight its cultural and economic significance. Mr. Degue emphasized that Kente is more than just a piece of cloth, but a repository of cultural knowledge, identity, skills, and traditions passed down through generations.
Mr. Degue proposed the Klikor-Agbozume Digital Kente Heritage Project to document weaving techniques, designs, oral histories, apprenticeship traditions, tools, and production processes. The project also includes establishing a digital archive and heritage map, as well as an online marketplace for artisans to sell authentic Kente directly to customers. This initiative aims to create opportunities for weavers, tour guides, photographers, designers, digital entrepreneurs, restaurants, and other businesses. The project also focuses on youth development through Kente innovation and apprenticeship centers.
The proposed Klikor-Agbozume Kente Heritage Trail will feature weaving workshops, loom experiences, design galleries, markets, Ewe cuisine, and cultural activities. The trail is expected to create jobs and stimulate local economic growth. Mr. Degue also emphasized the importance of responsible artificial intelligence use to promote and document Kente while protecting traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights. He proposed a Klikor-Agbozume Kente Heritage Development Compact to cover heritage documentation, a heritage center, digital marketplace, youth skills development, and authenticity certification.
Mr. Daniel Selorm Akakpovia, General Secretary of the Dumenenyo Kente Foundation, highlighted the foundation's efforts to promote and preserve Ewe Kente. Established on July 6, 2022, the foundation has provided training and economic opportunities for young people and women. The foundation has participated in exhibition fairs, provided training programs, and received an invitation to participate in an exhibition in Nigeria. Mr. Akakpovia emphasized the potential of Ewe Kente to reach markets beyond local communities and Ghana.
Despite the achievements, Mr. Akakpovia noted that the foundation faces financial constraints, inadequate resources, and the absence of a permanent center for weavers. He appealed to the Ketu South Municipal Assembly to consider establishing a dedicated annual budgetary allocation for Tourism Day activities. Mr. Akakpovia also called for stronger collaboration among traditional authorities, government, local assemblies, tourism institutions, development partners, businesses, and civil society organizations to promote and sustain Ewe Kente.
The World Tourism Day celebration brought together Kente weavers, entrepreneurs, and tourists, including visitors from Germany and India. The event featured an exhibition of Ewe Kente cloths, with artisans demonstrating the traditional weaving process. The program aimed to promote Ewe Kente and highlight its cultural and economic significance. The Denneny Kente Foundation's efforts to preserve and promote Ewe Kente have been recognized as a valuable contribution to Ghana's cultural heritage.
The sustainable development of Ewe Kente weaving is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and preserve the cultural identity of the Ewe people. The proposed initiatives aim to create jobs, stimulate local economic growth, and promote Ghana's cultural heritage. Key stakeholders, including traditional authorities, government, and development partners, are expected to collaborate to ensure the success of these initiatives.
Key points
- Experts propose sustainable tourism development of Ewe Kente to preserve cultural identity and boost local economy.
- Initiatives include digital documentation, heritage trails, and youth development programs.
- Collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for the success of sustainable tourism development.
