Ghana Must Decide To Promote The Smock Industry From The North

Opinionator: Ghana Must Decide To Promote The Smock Industry From The North

The industry has witnessed some low patronage over the years and weavers

can no longer be expected to hold their frustration. Since its introduction

in Ghana, the industry has struggled to survive and continues to play

second to the well-branded kente.

Though it has been the way of expressing our kind gestures to diplomats

and other esteemed foreign nationals who visit the country, very little

touches the industry to salvage its poor state.

Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah declared smock as a “battle

dress.” Since then, the smock has made gains into becoming not only a

“battle dress” but also prestigious attire worn by men and women of

prestige, as well as children.

In recent times, top officials and politicians have resorted to the smock

in making political statements. Ex President Jerry Rawlings was noted for

wearing the smock on official duties, locally and abroad, and usually

during his campaign trails. Other top politicians have also been seen

on political

rallies and platforms wearing smock –

members of parliament are famous for this practice. In the country today we

also see smock everywhere. In schools, hospitals, churches and many other

domains, there is the smock.

In 2011, The United Nation’s Joint Programme on Human Security (UNJHS)

nurtured an innovative idea of promoting, marketing and rebranding the

Northern smock for the local and the international markets so as to

increase income for weavers and create jobs for the youth.

Mr. Kwame Asante is the National Programme Coordinator for the UNJH. He

opines that: *the UNJHS was leading the formulation of ideas that would

come out with a blue print on a craft centre to be established for all

smock weavers from Daboya, Tamale and Yendi*.

He said it was very imperative for the Northern region to set up the craft

centre to showcase the Northern smock saying that the Bonwire craft centre

and the Bolga craft centres should serve as sources of

motivationfor the region.

Promoting the northern smock could lead to the

creationof thousands jobs for the idle

northern youth if given the needed

attention. However, our branding must transcend along these lines of

attracting the requisite expertise that can assist Ghana to industrialise

along the lines of its culture, that is to say popularising its culture

through innovation and industrialisation.

The Savannah Accelerated Development

Authorityshould also carve a niche

policy to address the challenges

confronting the smock industry.

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