Accra, May 27, GNA - Mr Alexander Asum-Ahensah, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture on Friday called on Ghanaians to help preserve and appreciate the unique cultural heritage of the country by displaying the Kente fabric to the outside world.

He said the traditional hand woven textile was a symbol of wealth and national pride and stressed the need for national projection of the fabric to help provide a common platform for buyers and sellers to interact and improve the industry.

Mr Asum-Ahensah made the call at the launch and exhibition of the First National Kente Week Celebration in Accra.

It is being organised by Royal Protocol Services, a Private Event Organiser under the auspices of the Ministry.

On the theme: 93Celebrating our Kente Heritage: A Majestic New Boost for Sustaining the Ghanaian Kente Tradition and Industry in the 21st Century", the event sought to promote and recognise Kente as an important cultural heritage of great value to the nation.

The celebration begins from June 24- June 30, includes schools What do you know competition on Kente and Adinkra symbols, and climaxed on July 3 with a dinner dance.

Mr Asum-Ahensah said for the country to benefit immensely from the growing income generated from the global creative industry, it was necessary that national and international marketing avenues be created for Kente products in the country.

He called on textile manufacturing companies to actively participate in the upcoming event and study the various patterns used in printing the fabric to help prevent dumping of inferior fabrics from elsewhere.

Nana Abena Konadu Badu, Programmes Director of Royal Protocol Services, said the celebration would seek to sustain and intensify awareness on the cherished legacy of glory, uniqueness, national pride and a sense of belonging associated with Kente throughout the country.

"The seed we are sowing today will eventually yield fruits for mother Ghana and therefore entreat all and sundry to harness synergies in the interest of our progress and the future of our indigenous industries," she added.

Nana Badu noted that the international recognition of Kente should pave way for national projection to showcase its viability in employment creation, marketing and foreign exchange earning to the country.

Mr Boakye Yiadom, President of Kente Sellers and Weavers Association said despite the enormous benefit generated by Kente weaving in the country, the industry had over the years received little attention and recognition from stakeholders and the public.

He urged well-meaning citizens to facilitate growth of the industry by patronising Kente and giving it the deserved exposure.

Mr Boakye Yiadom appealed to government to institute mechanisms to check the proliferation of China-made wax prints that had become a threat to the expansion of the indigenous fabric industry.