Demand for Ghanaian Traditional Crafts Declining
By Joyce Ayine
Artist Vicentia Mensah has warned that Ghana’s traditional craftsmanship risks fading if more people do not intentionally use and promote locally made artefacts.
Speaking on Zed Decor Live on Zed FM, she said declining demand for indigenous artefacts is gradually affecting artisans and craft communities across the country.
According to her, many traditional crafts were once passed down through generations, with families well known for weaving, carving and pottery. However, she noted that this tradition is weakening as fewer young people show interest in learning the skills.
Ms. Mensah explained that in the past, communities had master carvers, weavers and potters whose skills were inherited within families. She fears that this legacy could disappear if the current generation fails to appreciate and patronise their work. “I fear the art is being lost. Growing up, we knew master carvers and master weavers in families. It was a whole lineage where the craft moved from one generation to another,” she said.
She attributed the decline partly to the reduced use of traditional artefacts in everyday life. Items such as the asanka and other handcrafted household objects were once commonly used in homes but are now being replaced with modern alternatives.
Ms. Mensah believes reviving the use of these artefacts in homes, offices and public spaces could help sustain traditional craftsmanship and encourage artisans to continue producing them.
She also urged Ghanaians to source traditional artefacts directly from communities known for producing them instead of relying on imported or mass-produced decorative items.
According to her, supporting artisans in places recognised for particular crafts will not only help preserve the authenticity of the products but also sustain livelihoods in those communities.
Ms.Mensah stressed that promoting locally made artefacts can inspire younger generations to take interest in traditional crafts. “If we cherish what we have and make these artefacts part of our everyday living, it will inspire the younger generation to learn how they are made,” she said.
She added that increasing appreciation for traditional crafts will help preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage while ensuring that indigenous artisans continue to thrive.
