The Kente Vocational Training Project

The Adaklu Mountain Eco-tourism Committee (AMEC) provided training to four local citizens in the art of kente weaving. The goal of the project is to encourage tourists who visit their site to spend more money, and help improve the livelihoods of members of their communities. The four trainees (2 of which were youth) were provided new weaving looms, thread, and six months of training.

Bridge's Volta Coordinator with AMEC, kente traineers, and trainees

The weaving of Kente cloth is an artform that has gradually declined in the rural areas, despite its great cultural significance. Those who have capitalized off of international travelers and buyers have been those in the cities with access to these markets. Now that more tourists are traveling to eco-tourism sites, there are opportunities for rural communities to sell their products.

AMEC has the dual mission of conserving Adaklu Mountain and increasing economic opportunities of its citizens through eco-tourism. This project helps fullfill their mission by creatively expanding the number of people in their communities who can provide cultural products and tap into the benefits that tourism can provide.