The 2023 Kente Weaving Expo has been launched in the Volta Regional capital, Ho, with a call on the government to pay more attention to the weaving industry in the country.

The launch event, was under the theme; "Celebrating our cultural brilliance and the achievement of craft practitioners", was aimed at bringing all weavers and practitioners under one umbrella with a common goal of reviving the industry.

In a speech by the CEO of TY Kente Travel and Tour and Chief Kente weaver, Thompson Yao Avornyotsey, he said the designs of Kente cover every aspect of Ghanaian culture, encompassing proverbs, parables, and figurative expressions, among other elements.

“In fact, the Kente cloth does not only make the body beautiful but also vividly portrays history, moral values, and aesthetic principles, evoking a sense of pride,” Thompson Avornyotsey said.

He said considering the critical role that Kente weaving plays in preserving shared heritage in fabric, it is of national importance to protect and preserve this heritage for generations to come while also showcasing its importance on the global stage.

Mr Thompson Yao Avornyotsey added that beyond this duty, “our objective is to spotlight the skills of the weavers, delve into the historical significance underlying each Kente design, and present a diverse array of Kente fabrics.”

He lamented the inadequate cotton fabrics available for the weavers to use making the work difficult for them, as they struggle in search of original fabrics and equipment for the weaving.

He stated that the government does not really have their focus on the cotton and weaving industry in Ghana making it difficult for Ghana to make an impact on the international front.

According to him, this is worrying and needs the government's urgent attention.

The keynote speaker, Dr George-Grandy Hallow said Kente was a unifying aspect of Ghana's cultural makeup and identity.

“Whether in shades of green, yellow or red, these colors converge with black to complete the harmonious composition, and in this context, we have gathered in the capital of the Volta Region to partake in the Kente vessel of unity,” Dr George-Grandy Hallow said.

He added that the virtues and aspirations embedded in African culture seamlessly weave themselves into the fabric of Kente and the traditional and collective values inherent to Ghanaians are particularly and eloquently expressed through the border designs of these textiles.

He said despite the huge significance of the Kente fabric and the process of making it, it has failed to attract the attention and protection of the government thus resulting in the impoverishment of communities that depend on the weaving of Kente.

“Indirectly, the secondary tourism industry also benefits from this craft, offering employment to tour guides, hotel staff, restaurant workers, and others. The ‘Year of Return’ initiative in Ghana bore witness to over 1 million visitors, yet these stark numbers merely scratch the surface of the profound and transformative influence that the Kente industry has exerted on the preservation of our cultural ethos.

"By upholding this cherished tradition, we actively contribute to the enduring prosperity of local communities and ensure the lasting survival of this heritage for generations yet to come” Dr Hallow said.

Commenting on the Expo, he said its primary objective is to provide a space where artisans, weavers, designers, scholars, and enthusiasts can congregate to celebrate and acquire knowledge about the evolution of Kente weaving.

The event, he added, not only emphasizes the preservation of traditional methods but also encourages the exploration of novel techniques that can propel the industry forward while upholding its authenticity.

In doing so, he said, it will foster collaboration and networking among professionals in the field and give designers the opportunity to collaborate with the weavers, giving rise to unique blends of tradition and modernity.

This collaboration he said could result in new collections that appeal to a broader range of consumers, both at the local and international levels.

He noted that the preservation of Kente's artistic legacy necessitates harnessing the potential of technology which he said can be achieved through the application of digital storytelling, a method that demands meticulous and accurate narration of the origins and uses of Kente thereby minimizing the reliance on anecdotal factoids.

The programme was a collaboration between TY Kente Travel and Tours and TIE Global Artisans, GEBA, Unesco and the National Folklore Board.

Nana Becky Tandoor of KNUST African Studies and Culture joined the dignitaries and traditional leaders who graced the occasion.

The main festival will be held on the 27th of November in Kpetoe.