Photograph courtesy of the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution
There's a saying in Ghana: "The one who climbs a good tree deserves a push." It reminds us to support those who do meaningful work. The weavers of Kente have been climbing that good tree for centuries, keeping alive a craft that speaks for all of us.
When I first began working with Kente, I was drawn to that depth. Not only its beauty, but what it represents. Over the years, I've had the privilege of buying and working with authentic Kente from Ghana, meeting the people who bring it to life with their hands and hearts.
One of them is my friend Gideon, a talented weaver from the Eastern Region. We met years ago when I was sourcing cloth for a bespoke tailoring job. His family had been weaving Kente for generations, and he was passing on that skill to young boys in his community. It wasn't just a business. It was a legacy, and a way to give others a chance.
The spools of yarn ready to be spun at Gideon's old workshop.
But as fake, mass-produced Kente began flooding the market, the real craft suffered. The value of the genuine cloth dropped, and artisans like Gideon found it harder and harder to keep their workshops open. Eventually, he had to give it up. A heartbreaking loss, not only for him, but for the community he supported.
The gold speckled yarn on the loom at Gideons Workshop
That's why the news that Kente has now been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status feels so powerful. It means that authentic Ghanaian Kente, handwoven in Ghana by our own weavers, is now recognised and protected worldwide. It stands alongside other iconic products like Champagne and Scotch whisky, carrying with it the pride and heritage of our people.
Gideon with a length of his handwoven Kente
This protection changes everything. When France secured GI status for Champagne, it stopped sparkling wines from California or Australia from using the name. Darjeeling tea producers saw their incomes rise as buyers could finally trust they were getting the real thing. And Harris Tweed, that iconic Scottish fabric, is legally protected so that only cloth handwoven by islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides can carry the name. It preserved not just a textile tradition, but an entire way of life. Now our weavers have that same shield: legal backing against imitation, guaranteed authenticity, and access to markets that value genuine craft.
For artisans, it means fairer prices. For communities, it means sustainable livelihoods. For all of us, it means the tradition stays alive, in the hands where it belongs.
Me (Liberty) with my first length of Kente woven by Gideon in 2018
As someone who uses Kente in my own tailoring, I'm so proud to see it finally get the recognition it deserves. And I can't help but dream that one day, other crafts like our beautiful baskets woven in the Bolga region with its own unique techniques and patterns woven into sturdy, beautiful baskets, will also gain this kind of protection. Each region's craft tells its own story, and each deserves to be honoured and preserved.
Because these traditions are more than art; they're living testaments to who we are.
Every thread, every weave, every handmade piece carries a story. And now, thankfully, those stories are being honoured—just as they should be.
(if you are interested in ordering a piece of genuine kente from Gideon please get in touch with us at hello@akatue.com and we'll put you intouch with Gideon)