Stories and facts

Ahwenepa Nkasa is a well-known fabric print with deep cultural roots across Ghana, Togo, Benin, and the Ivory Coast.

In Ghana, it is produced by the Ghana Textiles Company under VLISCO and by the Akosombo Industrial Company Limited, previously known as Akosombo Textile Limited.

The print is regarded as one of the classic designs in West Africa, much like other iconic patterns such as L’Oeil de Boeuf and Sika Wo Ntaban.

The name Ahwenepa Nkasa comes from two Akan words that translate to “good waist beads do not make noise,” an expression that echoes the proverb “empty barrels make the most noise.”

It reflects the idea that truly good people do not boast about their deeds, a message that has long been woven into the cultural symbolism of the fabric.

The design of Ahwenepa Nkasa features a lively arrangement of floral elements combined with lines that curve, spiral, or run diagonally across the cloth.

In Ghana, the colors of the print serve different cultural purposes.

A blue version of the motif is often worn by women after childbirth, a black version is used for funerals, and more colorful variations are worn for celebrations or everyday life.

Across West Africa, the fabric is known by other names. In Togo and Benin, it is called Makaïva, meaning “leaves of a tree,” while in the Ivory Coast it is known as Feuille-feuille, which carries the same meaning.

Ahwenepa Nkasa has also appeared in high-profile settings. The president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has worn this print on notable occasions, including his acceptance of an honorary degree from the University of Cape Coast, the commissioning of a fertilizer factory, and his attendance at the seventh Innovation Prize for Africa hosted by the African Innovation Foundation.

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