Ministry condemns indiscriminate use of Kente

Accra, Jan 23, GNA - The Ministry of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City on Monday condemned the indiscriminate use of the Kente cloth by some institutions and persons in recent times.

A statement signed by Mr Ferdinand O. Ayim, Personal Assistant to the Sector Minister, said, "the least that we should do to the Kente, is to accord it the respect that our forefathers handed down to us, instead of the tendency by some to desecrate and devalue it by using it as table cloths, curtains, cushion-covers and carpets.

"The Ministry notes particularly a recent situation where the Kente cloth was used as a carpet at a public event and wishes to condemn in no uncertain terms this most abominable usage", the statement said.

It said: "Kente the most distinguished African textile, is more than a cloth; it is a visual representation of Ghana's history, its philosophy, values, ethics and oral literature. It is more than any African fabric regarded as a purposeful symbol as the Ghanaian and African identity and has become an icon of this country's cultural heritage."

The Ministry, therefore, appealed against further attempts to cheapen the rich heritage, and charged all Ghanaians to collectively resolve to protect the Kente and to ensure that it continued as a source of pride and reverence for Ghana and Africa.