Upper East Weavers Petition President to Declare Guruntama a National Asset

Weavers and thread sellers in the Upper East Region have asked President John Dramani Mahama to declare Guruntama weaving a national asset and to make the hand-woven cloth part of the Wednesday uniform for schools and the security services, according to A1 Radio in Bolgatanga.

The Upper East Guruntama Weavers and Thread Sellers Association presented a three-point petition to the Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, at his office in Bolgatanga for onward delivery to the President.

What the weavers are asking for

The association wants the government to treat Guruntama weaving and its related businesses as a national asset, a status it believes would make it easier to export and import the cloth, thread and other weaving materials. It is also asking for support to strengthen the Ghana-Burkina Weavers and Thread Union, which brings together weavers and thread traders across the border.

Its third request is for schools and the security services to adopt Guruntama cloth as their prescribed Wednesday wear. The weavers argue that a guaranteed institutional market would create jobs, keep the craft alive and grow the economy of the region.

Imitation thread and hard-to-reach markets

Speaking on behalf of the association, the Upper East Regional Director of Museums, Pognaab Prisca Na’ambome Yenzie, outlined the pressures on the trade. She pointed to an influx of what she called imitation thread and cloth, which she said was hurting the quality and reputation of genuine Guruntama, as well as difficulty reaching buyers in Burkina Faso, weak branding and promotion, and limited financial support for weavers and thread sellers.

Minister promises to pass on concerns

Receiving the petition, Mr Atanga said the association’s concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities, and restated the government’s commitment to promoting Guruntama and the local textile industry. He cited the call for Ghanaians to wear smocks made from the fabric on Wednesdays as one measure already in place.

The minister also told the weavers he would raise their difficulties with the Burkina Faso market during a planned visit to the neighbouring country later this month, and urged the media to encourage the public to buy locally woven smocks.

Guruntama is woven in narrow strips on traditional looms and sewn together to make the smock, the garment most closely associated with Northern Ghana. For many households in the Upper East, weaving and thread trading remain an important source of income, particularly for young people.

Source: A1 Radio — https://www.a1radioonline.com/84798/upper-east-weavers-petition-president-mahama-to-recognise-guruntama-as-national-asset/index.html