UWR: How Weavers Turned Doubts About Their Craft Into Success

For more than six decades, weaving has remained one of the most important traditional industries in Ghana’s Upper West Region, transforming lives, preserving cultural heritage, and creating employment opportunities for thousands of people.

What started as a modest craft introduced by missionaries has grown into a thriving industry that continues to influence the economic and social development of the region.

Speaking to pioneers of the weaving industry on July 7, 2026, they shared the journey of the craft, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame criticisms from people who once doubted its future. They also appealed for a ready market for woven products and urged the government to reduce taxes on threads to make production more affordable.

Veteran weaver and Queen Mother of Weavers, Pognaa Jane Frances Kpenye, said the journey of weaving in the Upper West Region has not been easy.

She recalled that she attended St. Anne’s Weaving School from 1985 to 1987 and began her weaving career in Nandom before relocating to Wa.

“When we started, many people looked down on weaving and believed there was no future in it. Some of my colleagues abandoned the trade in search of white-collar jobs, but we remained committed because we believed in the craft,” she said.

According to her, the perception of weaving has changed significantly over the years, as the industry has become one of the most sought-after trades in the region, with the number of weavers now surpassing those engaged in smock sewing.

Pognaa Jane explained that the industry has evolved, with weavers producing different types of smocks for both men and women. She noted that women’s smocks come in various designs and textures depending on their purpose.

She encouraged buyers and investors to engage directly with experienced weavers to ensure they get quality products. She added that weaving requires skill and patience, involving processes such as preparing the warp, setting heddles, winding threads, and creating unique designs on the loom.

Another veteran weaver, Madam Euphenia Sangzie, Chairperson of Weavers, said she and Pognaa Jane attended the same weaving school and graduated in the same year.

Having spent more than three decades in the industry, she said weaving has contributed greatly to the development of the Upper West Region by providing livelihoods and employment opportunities for many families.

“Weaving has become a source of livelihood for many families and has created employment opportunities for numerous young people,” she said.

Madam Sangzie, however, appealed to organisations and individuals who support the industry to ensure that assistance reaches weavers directly instead of passing through intermediaries.

Madam Paula Dinye Kpiebayer, another experienced weaver, explained that St. Anne’s Weaving School did not only train people in weaving but also equipped women with life skills to become responsible members of society.

She revealed that weaving was introduced to the Upper West Region in 1963 by the Sisters of Our Lady of Africa from Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, where both educated and uneducated individuals were trained in the craft.

According to her, advancements in technology have made weaving easier and more efficient, but education remains important because modern weaving requires calculations and technical knowledge.

She added that woven products, especially smocks, have become popular during weddings, funerals, and official functions. The growth of the industry, she noted, has also helped reduce rural-urban migration by creating employment opportunities for young people.

The Chief of Smocks in the Upper West Region, Naa Jimba Abdul Rahman, said weaving remains the foundation of smock production because the fabric must first be woven before it can be sewn into garments.

He identified the high cost of threads as one of the major challenges affecting the industry and appealed to government to reduce taxes on imported threads.
“Our people need a ready market and local production of thread to make the industry more sustainable,” he said.

Naa Jimba also called for the establishment of a thread factory in Northern Ghana and the provision of modern equipment to improve productivity and strengthen the competitiveness of the industry.

He praised the quality of woven products from the Upper West Region, describing them as among the finest in Ghana. He also noted that while many men are involved in weaving, only a few women participate in smock sewing across the region.

The Upper West Region is known for its unique smock designs, including the Tago, a long-sleeved smock, traditional large and small smocks, and ceremonial smocks worn by chiefs. Other notable designs include the Pbaagoto and Yiglee, which are recognised for their distinctive styles.

According to Naa Jimba, traditional leaders wear smocks in special ways that differentiate them from ordinary people and symbolise their authority and status.

For Lydia, a young apprentice, weaving represents hope and opportunity. She described the craft as her chosen career and expressed confidence in its future.

As looms continue to click across communities in the Upper West Region, weaving remains more than just a profession. It represents culture, identity, creativity, and resilience.

Industry players believe that with the right support, investment, and market opportunities, weaving can continue to preserve the region’s heritage while creating sustainable livelihoods for future generations.

By Diana Naagmenpire Saavuur