Ghana’s iconic cultural fabric, Kente, has officially been stamped with global recognition as the nation’s first-ever Geographical Indication (GI) product.
A Geographical Indication (GI) is essentially an intellectual property right that ties a product to its roots, guaranteeing that its quality and reputation stem from where it originates.
For producers and communities, this protection translates into stronger brand value and bigger economic opportunities.
The launch, held on September 30, at the La-Palm Royal Beach Hotel, marked a major milestone in the cultural and creative arts sector.
The ceremony, organised by the Registrar General’s Department in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), drew stakeholders from across the creative industry.
With this recognition, Kente now stands shoulder to shoulder with global treasures like Champagne from France, Tequila from Mexico and Darjeeling tea from India, products so deeply rooted in place and tradition that they are fiercely protected by international law.
For Ghana, this means that Kente is officially and exclusively Ghanaian, guaranteeing authenticity for buyers worldwide while offering new economic lifelines for local weavers and communities.
This recognition builds on Ghana’s cultural achievements after the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts successfully got Kente listed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage last December.
Reacting to the milestone, Richardson Commey Fio, Special Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, could not hide his excitement.
“It was refreshing and nostalgic for me to be a part of this all-important event to witness the end product of what we have supported with our expertise for the past seven years,” he said.
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