Techiman: The Kente Weavers Association in Techiman, located in the Bono East region, has commended former second lady Samira Bawumia for her preference for locally-made products. The association expressed appreciation for her consistent choice of locally-woven clothes, which they say has been instrumental in keeping many weavers in business.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Susana Bamila, a Kente weaver and former Treasurer of the Association, highlighted that Mrs. Bawumia's inclination towards local fabrics has been a source of inspiration. "We admire her a lot for her delight in locally-made products, and that has encouraged us to remain in business and produce more products," she stated. She noted that the former first lady's frequent display of local fabrics has been highly inspiring.
In a discussion marking Ghana's Heritage Month, Madam Bamila expressed concerns over the poor patronage of locally-made products. She pointed out that this lack of support hinders the association's ability to innovate and expand their range of products, leading to economic losses for the weavers. She urged the government to take action to make the industry more attractive and to enhance the appetite of Ghanaians for locally-made goods.
Madam Bamila emphasized the economic potential of the industry, suggesting that significant investments could enhance foreign income earnings, create jobs for the youth, and preserve the nation's culture and traditions. She lamented that the high cost of raw materials makes local fabrics more expensive, thus affecting their marketability.
Miss Susan Bawa, an apprentice at the Bono East Regional Secretariat for the Centre for National Culture Weavers Centre, shared that weaving can be lucrative if there is a ready market and strong patronage. She encouraged Ghanaians to appreciate the cultural significance of locally-made products and to support the industry as a means of contributing to national economic development.
