Ghana Gains Global Protection for Kente Cloth, Safeguarding Cultural Heritage and Artisan Livelihoods
Accra, Ghana – In a landmark decision, the Ghanaian government has secured Geographical Indication (GI) protection for Kente cloth, marking the nation’s frist-ever designation of its kind. The move, announced this week, legally recognizes that only textiles woven in specific Ghanaian communities – including Bonwire, Adanwomase, agotime Kpetoe and Agbozume – using traditional techniques can be officially labeled as kente.
The GI protection, achieved in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), elevates Kente to a status comparable to globally recognized products like Champagne and Darjeeling tea. this signifies a major step towards combating the widespread appropriation of Kente-inspired designs that have long been mass-produced without acknowledging their origins.
Each authentic piece of Kente will now be traceable via a QR code, allowing consumers worldwide – from Accra to Atlanta - to verify its provenance. this system aims to ensure transparency and authenticity in the market.
“This protection gives economic power to the very communities that created Kente,” stated a Ghanaian trade official during the announcement ceremony in Accra. “It’s not just about heritage, it’s about equity.”
The move comes on the heels of Kente being added to UNESCO’s intangible Cultural heritage list in 2024,further solidifying its global recognition. For centuries, Kente has served as a powerful symbol of Ghanaian culture, representing lineage, pride, and history woven into every thread and pattern.
By legally safeguarding its cultural treasure, Ghana is establishing a new standard for protecting cultural intellectual property and ensuring that the economic benefits of its heritage remain within the communities that have sustained the craft for generations.
