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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