Upper West Smock Designers Call for Government Support to Build Weaving Village

 

The Upper West Regional Chief of Smock Designers and Weavers Abdul Rahman Jimba, is making a passionate appeal to the government for the establishment of a dedicated weaving village in the region to support the growth and sustainability of the traditional smock industry.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Naa Jimba highlighted the urgent need for a centralised location where all players within the smock and weaving value chain—designers, weavers, tailors and marketers—can operate under one roof. He explained that the scattered nature of their operations has made it difficult for clients to access the full range of services and products especially when they are searching for specific items.

When everything is in one place, customers can easily find what they are looking for. It will also serve as a major tourist attraction and bring in foreign exchange for the country, he said.

One of the major issues raised by Naa Jimba was the insecurity of tenancy. Many weavers and designers currently rent temporary spaces to run their businesses, but frequent evictions by landlords threaten their operations and customer base.

You will rent a place for your business and within a short time, the owner will come back asking for the place, he lamented.

This instability, he stressed leads to disruptions that affect customer satisfaction and revenue, thereby weakening the growth of the industry.

The proposed weaving village, according to Naa Jimba would not only address accommodation and operational challenges but also serve as a hub for cultural preservation and economic empowerment. The village could attract both local and international tourists interested in Ghana’s rich textile heritage, particularly the iconic smock, which has become a national symbol of pride and identity.

He believes that such a facility would boost job creation, especially among the youth, and position the Upper West Region as a centre of excellence for traditional textile production.

Naa Jimba is therefore calling on the government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, to support their efforts by allocating land and providing financial assistance to develop a smock village.

We need a permanent place that brings all of us together. This is not just for our benefit—it’s for the entire country, he emphasized.

With the right support, Naa Jimba believes the weaving and smock industry can become a key contributor to Ghana’s economy, enhance tourism and preserve a valuable cultural heritage for generations to come.