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Charles Kente Ventures
Cultural heritage you can touch: Hand-woven Kente fabrics from Ghana
The weaving of Kente fabrics has a long tradition in Ghana. The Ashanti - an ethnic group in Ghana - have been making the colourful fabrics since the 17th century. Charles Boakye Mensah has been practising this traditional craft for 15 years: "I design, weave and produce commercial kente clothing of all kinds, such as adwinasa, sika, chief kente and kente for traditional weddings. For this, I buy my own cotton and silk, design patterns, weave and produce the fabrics." His aim is to preserve this cultural heritage. By participating in WIDU, he is able to pass on his knowledge: in addition to buying raw materials for production, he has been able to hire apprentices.
"My aim is to contribute to the preservation of our cultural heritage by producing Kente fabrics that can be worn for any occasion. Before participating in WIDU, I had difficulties in obtaining funds for my business. Thanks to the WIDU grant, I was able to hire apprentices."
"By participating in WIDU.africa, Charles will be able to create jobs and preserve his craft."
