The Royal Kente Weavers and Sellers Association (ROKWESA) has officially launched the Royal Kente Gala (RKG) 2025 at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi. The theme is: “Preserving Royal Heritage, Weaving Global Connections”.
The programme marks the beginning of a milestone celebration dedicated to showcasing the artistry, history and global relevance of the Kente fabric.
The project also has a vision to be an established World Premium Cultural Showcase, where African Heritage meets Global innovation, with the Mission to preserve Kente traditions, while creating a global platform that elevate Ghana’s heritage, as well as inspiring “pride” across Africa and the Diaspora.
An array of activities drawn for the programme include; Online Marketing Workshop (E-commerce) for Kente Weavers and Sellers on September 25, 2025 – Inter-SHS debate on Kente imitation, challenges and effects on the industry on October 20, 2025 – Kente Investment Forum, Banks and Artistry Dialogue on October 31, 2025.
Other activities are Royal Kente Runway Fashion Showcase, Exhibition and Live Kente Weaving on November 30, 2026 and Royal Kente Auction and Awards Presentation on December 20, 2026.
Mr Kwame Nyame, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ROKWESA, disclosed that the Gala is “not just an event, but a movement” to honour the legacy of the Asante ancestry, celebration of today’s artistry, as well as inspire the future generations of Kente weaving for generations to come.
He acknowledged the blessings of His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, who is the custodian of the sacred “Twini Ntoma” and explained that Otumfuo’s blessing was a reminder that kente was not just a cloth, but an “identity, dignity and symbol of unity”.
Mr. Nyame stressed that the launch marked a “cultural renaissance”, which would elevate the Asante heritage, empowering Kente Weavers, as well as proudly connect the Asante Kingdom to the world.
Mr. Evans Nkum, Deputy Manager, Akoma FM, disclosed that kente was embedded in the Asante culture, noting that his outfit understands the role it played in telling the Asante story.
Mr.Nkum indicated that Bonwire and Adanwomase are known for its massive production of the traditional cloth (Kente), stressing that Media General and its subsidiaries (Akoma FM and TV3), had produced special features highlighting the traditional cloth and the need for policy makers to leverage with tourism opportunities.
He said that most developed countries are thriving in the area of tourism, which primarily focused on “culture and heritage”, and noted that his outfit (Media General) believed the local economy could also thrive when people travel to have a first-hand appreciation of how the rich Asante kente is weaved.
Mr. Nkum hoped the Kente industry would help absorb more youth and create employment to support the government to push the 24-Hour Economy policy.
He suggested the erection of industrial structures for the Weavers as well as providing weavers with incentives and if possible acquire a technology that would not affect the traditional mode of production, but ensure less manual application with huge production numbers.
From Oswald Pius Freiku, Kumasi
