Stories and facts
The significance of Kente to Ghanaians and Black Africans has been celebrated internationally. Directed by award-winning BBC journalist Amma Prempeh, the film premiered at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, on February 1, 2024.
This international debut marked a significant milestone, bringing the rich tapestry of Ghanaian culture to a global audience and sparking dialogue about identity, representation, and cultural exchange.
The documentary delves into the intricate artistry, cultural significance, and global impact of Kente cloth. On April 17, 2024, Amma Prempeh further showcased the film's influence by engaging in three historic meetings in Washington, DC. She met with Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, Hajia Alima Mahama, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and students of Howard University to screen the documentary.
Within three months, the film premiered at both Harvard University and Howard University, the top universities globally and the leading historically black universities in the US, respectively.
Hajia Alima Mahama praised the film's detailed exploration of the Kente fabric, emphasizing its cultural importance and recommending support from the Ghana Tourism Authority to promote tourism.
Produced, directed, and funded by Amma Prempeh, the documentary shares the rich story behind Kente, Ghana’s iconic cultural fabric, which has gained global popularity over the centuries. It first premiered in Ghana on August 26, 2023, at the Golden Eagle Cinema in Kumasi City Mall, followed by a screening at the African Regent Hotel in Accra on September 10, 2023, before its international debut this year.
Kente, a traditional Ghanaian textile with deep historical roots, is celebrated in the film for its heritage and identity. The documentary explores Kente's evolution from a symbol of Ghanaian royalty to a powerful global icon of resistance and identity. It examines its cultural ownership, economic and social importance, and central role in global politics, featuring vibrant stories and perspectives from weavers, historians, and cultural experts.
Amma Prempeh describes Kente as "more than just a cloth; it's a living embodiment of our history, values, and aspirations," dedicating the film to the generations of weavers who have preserved this tradition and celebrating its continued relevance in our globalized world.
Meanwhile, Amma Prempeh has been nominated for three awards at the fourth edition of the Golden Age Business and Creative Arts Awards on May 1, 2024. These awards include Woman of Excellence: Creative Art Personality of the Year, Woman of Excellence: Tourism and Arts Personality of the Year, and the Yaa Asantewaa Woman of Valour and Honour Award.
