What makes Kente cloth a symbol of Ghanaian heritage?

 

Assorted Kente cloths in Ghana

Ghana's Kente cloth is acknowledged worldwide as a national treasure and a symbol of the nation's rich artistic heritage, having a deep cultural, historical, and symbolic value. Through the Ashantis' history, Kente clothing and goods have historically, traditionally, and culturally elevated Ghana to enhance its tourism industry.  

 

Its elaborate patterns and vivid colors reflect deep philosophical ideas, proverbs, historical events, and spiritual beliefs. Originally reserved for royalty and religious rites, Kente symbolizes wealth, high social standing, and cultural refinement. Its global significance and the necessity of its preservation were confirmed in December 2024 when it was included in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

 

Ghana began initiating legal action in November 2025 to protect Kente through geographical indication designation and intellectual property, with the goal of preserving its cultural legacy and guaranteeing that local craftspeople profit from its widespread use. The Ashanti and Ewe peoples of Ghana are closely associated with kente cloth, which dates back to the eleventh century and developed through trading networks that brought in opulent materials like silk.

 

In Kente, every pattern and hue has a distinct symbolic meaning. For instance, crimson stands for the blood of the deceased, green for mineral wealth, black for spiritual awareness, and gold for rank. The fabric is worn as a potent declaration of cultural identity and heritage at significant life events, including weddings, funerals, graduations, and customary rites of passage.

 

The Ghanaian town of Bonwire is regarded as the center of Kente weaving, a craft that has been passed down through the years through apprenticeship within weaving families. Kente, which was formerly only worn by royalty, is now extensively worn in Ghana and by individuals of African descent globally, serving as a symbol of African pride and identity and a link to their African heritage.

 

Kente fabric is thought to have originated in the 17th century AD from old Akan weaving methods that date back to the 11th century. Kente eventually reveals that the exquisitely woven fabric came from Ghana, despite its association with the Ivory Coast culture. Ghana's traditional Kente cloth, which is worn at ceremonies, festivals, and public gatherings, reflects the country's renown as the first in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve freedom.

 

Former Ghanaian leader John Jerry Rawlings and former American president Bill Clinton, and Hillary in a Kente outfit.

Renowned weavers are increasingly studying kente designs, which give each textile its own uniqueness and go beyond simple fashion. Kente continues to be a source of pride for both Ghanaians and Africans living abroad. For instance, during celebrations of African American heritage, like Black History Month, African Americans proudly display Kente to emphasize their ties to the African continent.

 

African Americans frequently wear it to demonstrate their understanding of or support for "Black Pride." As a result, the United States and other parts of the world currently dominate the global market for African art. In the early 1960s, the government of what was then Czechoslovakia invited journalists from all over the world to the country.

 

It was no surprise that the Ghanaian journalists from the Guinea Press, now known as the Ghanaian Times, won the tournament with their beautiful traditional Kente attire.

 

Travel Vietnam: Discover the soul of the tourism industry & amazing foods

 

The "Hands of God" Bridge at Bana Hills Park, Da Nang City

Today, I'll give my readers around the globe a real feast of what Vietnam's traditional tourism sector has to offer. Southeast Asia's Vietnam is a singular gem that provides much more than just a reasonably priced substitute for Thailand's well-known resorts. This nation is a kaleidoscope of experiences, with remnants of its socialist and colonial history coexisting peacefully with long-standing customs.

 

Vietnam offers tourists breathtaking scenery, with the largest cave system in the world and the emerald rice terraces in the foothills, in addition to golden beaches and immaculately diving waters. The country has a rich cultural heritage that includes socialist artifacts like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, elegant French colonial buildings, and majestic Buddhist temples.

The Asian country draws visitors not just as an affordable substitute for well-known Asian resorts, but also as a nation with a rich cultural heritage. From thrilling diving to leisurely beach holidays to informative tours of historical places, there is something here for everyone.

Of particular importance is the legacy of Vietnam's recent past. The nation's history and culture have been impacted by the war with the United States, one of the major conflicts of the 20th century. Visitors can discover distinctive items from the socialist era in addition to admiring historic pagodas and imperial castles.

 

Vietnam is also well-known for its ecotourism and culinary explorations. Exotic foods, such as barbecued crocodile, and well-known snake eateries are available for thrill-seekers. There are thrilling rafting experiences down the Mekong River, which meanders through gorgeous jungles, for those looking to get in touch with nature. Vietnam is also well-known for its traditional medicine, which draws people who value their health.


Located in Southeast Asia on the South China Sea coast, Vietnam is a nation of contrasts. Stretching 1,750 kilometers along the Indochina Peninsula's coast, it has the shape of a meandering dragon. The two main cities of this intriguing nation are Hanoi, the capital in the north, and Ho Chi Minh City, previously Saigon, the metropolis in the south.

Although Vietnamese is the official language, the nation's cultural variety extends well beyond language. Vietnam is a tapestry of beliefs bound together by a strong sense of patriotism and rich mythical traditions, despite the country's abundance of Buddhist monuments. As a symbol of national identity, the dragon is thought to be the ancestor of the Vietnamese people.

From renowned coastal destinations with sandy beaches to mountain ranges and jungles, the country boasts a diverse terrain. With distinct dry and rainy seasons, the climate ranges from subtropical in the north to tropical monsoon in the south. From October through December, it's critical to be mindful of possible typhoons.

 

Vietnam is a popular travel destination because of its reasonable costs; a comfortable trip, including lodging, can be had for as little as USD 25 to 30 each day. Travelers should exercise caution, though, as the locals are generally friendly but occasionally may attempt to exploit tourists' gullibility. The dong, which is Vietnam's national currency, is issued as useful plastic banknotes, which are ideal in extremely humid environments.

 

It is advised to bring US dollars, and the better the conversion rate, the bigger the denomination of the bill. Since they are more advantageous to trade for dong than euros, the freshness of the bills is particularly important.

 

Vietnam takes great pride in its stunning coastline, which stretches along the East Sea (known to the Vietnamese as the South China Sea) for more than 3,000 kilometers. From busy tourist destinations to quiet island getaways, the nation's coastline provides a rainbow of beach vistas. While some of the beaches include pebbles, the majority of the beaches are sandy.

 

There are plenty of municipal beaches and private hotel beaches in the resort regions with free access. Therefore, your preferred vacation style will determine the answer to the question, "Where to fly to Vietnam?" From northern Mong Cai to southern Phu Quoc, a continuous network of resort areas stretches along nearly the whole Vietnamese coast. Among the most well-liked locations are: Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Hoi An, and the Con Dao Archipelago.

 

Apart from its resorts by the sea, Vietnam is also renowned for its therapeutic thermal springs. Particularly well-liked is the Vinh Tien Valley, which lies in the country's north and is about an hour's drive from Hanoi, the capital. Dalat is a high-altitude resort that caters to those who like a mountainous climate. 

 

The cultural and natural treasures of Vietnam are a true paradise for history and nature enthusiasts. Here are some places that deserve special attention: Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), Halong, and Hue are cities of imperial grandeur, where every stone breathes the history of the ancient Nguyen dynasty; Sapa, Phu Quoc, and the Son Doong Cave.

 

Discover Vietnam’s amazing foods.

 

Vietnamese cuisine features a unique array of flora that is not typically found in your native country, and it's rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and a variety of meats and seafood. High-altitude teas are as prized as those from China, and popular coffee varieties like Arabica and Robusta are cultivated here. French Indochina's historical background has also influenced its cuisine.

Vietnamese food combines strong spices, aromatic herbs, and fresh ingredients to create a harmonious whole. Vietnamese cuisine entices palates and embodies Southeast Asian flavors, from the crispy bánh mì sandwiches to the steamy bowls of phở. Among the most delicious dishes in the nation are Pho, Bo Kho, Banh Xeo, Cha La Lot, Banh Bao, Lau, Banh Ran, Banh Chuoi Chien, Nam, and Bun Cha.

HOW SAFE IS TO RIDE A BICYCLE IN AFRICA?

Safe bicycle riding in Europe under traffic light rules

In Africa, vehicle drivers don’t get along with cyclists. Many are always angry with cyclists because they think cyclists are impediments on the path of motorists, yet they don’t know that cyclists have the same rights as motorists.

The Highway Code is an official book that gives the rules to motorists and people on how to use the road safely, and the advanced dictionary defines a vehicle, which motorists use as a conveyance moving on wheels, runners, or tracks, such as an automobile or tractor.

In regard to this definition, since a bicycle has wheels, it is qualified as a vehicle to use the road like every motorist without any horn or verbal harassment.

In reality, if there is any anger, motorists have to direct that to the Ghana Highway Authority because they have failed to consider cyclists whenever constructing Ghanaian roads.

The Ghana Highway Authority has a duty to maintain to ensure the safety of road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. The adequate provision by the authority is to ensure that cyclists are safe on Ghanaian roads. However, this is not the case.

Ghanaian roads are life-threatening to cyclists because they aren’t constructed with the safety of cyclists in mind. The setback in Africa is so severe that it has also affected the roads. 

Ghanaian roads are of a poor standard, with countless potholes and no light poles, making it extremely dangerous to drive at night when travelling long distances.

Because cyclists are safe on European roads, many like to park their cars at home and use bicycles to work. Riding a bicycle helps in many ways, is punctual, saves money, and promotes good health.

The reason apart from cyclists sharing roads with motorists, they also have special roads and traffic lights to ensure their safety. In Antwerp, there is a bicycle tunnel, built under the sea, connecting the city of Antwerp and Linkeroever.

Before the tunnel is a lift that takes the cyclist below to the entrance of the tunnel to ride through. It’s the most beautiful experience as cycling through the tunnel to linkeroever within a few minutes, whereas it may take you about twenty-five minutes to go by bus.

Every road in Europe is specially designed to give comfort to cyclists, but why not in Ghana, when so many people are finding it difficult to join the public transport to work because of high fares?

Apart from our great leader, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, any Ghanaian leader who will not take up the challenge to do something significant and different to develop the country will always be considered as a child learning how to play football.

There are too many insults in Ghanaian newspapers; therefore, which Ghanaian leader is ready to change these insults to praises? Both NDC and NPP want to rule Ghana, but which of the parties has considered embarking on an underground drainage system to improve the tourism industry?

Special safe bicycle routes for users in Europe

All of them want to rule Ghana to get rich. Their power struggle is not for the poor suffering masses. After the death of Kwame Nkrumah, the money Ghana's leaders have stolen could have given the country a certain facelift to look somewhat like one of the poor Eastern European countries.

As dangerous as it is to ride a bicycle in Ghana, many cyclists don't wear helmets, yet there are traffic police officers in the country. 

The Ghana Highway Authority must consider cyclists in its future street projects after reading this article.