Lisa Mugo
Ghana has officially secured legal ownership and global protection for its world-famous Kente cloth, a vibrant, handwoven fabric that has long symbolized prestige and identity within Ghanaian culture.
The move marks a major milestone in protecting Africa’s cultural heritage and ensuring that traditional artisans finally benefit from the commercial success of their creations.
Ghana successfully registered Kente cloth as a Geographical Indication (GI) under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in October 2025. The GI certification was processed through Ghana’s Registrar-General’s Department, making Kente the first Ghanaian textile to receive this kind of international protection.
This move ensures that only Kente produced in specific weaving communities such as Bonwire, Adanwomase, Agotime-Kpetoe, and Agbozume using traditional techniques can legally be marketed as “Kente.”
For decades, mass-produced “Kente-inspired” fabrics have flooded global markets, often printed cheaply in parts of Africa and the rest of the world. These imitations have hurt local Ghanaian weavers and diluted the cultural and economic value of the original Kente cloth.
Ghanaian artisans now have a legal and economic framework to safeguard their traditional knowledge and craftsmanship, increase revenue through authentic, traceable production, and strengthen Ghana’s cultural branding globally.
The government also plans to introduce traceability systems, including digital tags and QR codes, so that buyers can verify the authenticity and origin of each piece.
While the protection gives Ghana exclusive rights to label authentic Kente, it does not prevent other nations or individuals from needing permission to wear Kente or to create Kente-inspired designs.
What it does mean, however, is that no one outside Ghana can commercially sell or market fabrics as “Kente” unless they meet the GI criteria. This development signals a broader shift across Africa; nations are beginning to protect their traditional art forms, foods, and cultural symbols through intellectual property laws.
By taking this step, Ghana sets an inspiring precedent for other countries to legally protect their heritage, ensuring that Africa’s creativity is recognized, respected, and rewarded.
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