Accra, July 3, GNA - The first National Kente Week celebration has been scheduled for Saturday, August 6, 2011, at the Banquet, State House at 0700 hours.

The event is under the auspices of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture and the Royal Protocol Services the event organisers.

A statement signed by Kenteman Nii Laryea Sowah, media co-ordinator for the event, copied to GNA, said the re-scheduling of the event was necessitated by the numerous responses received from Ghanaians in the Diaspora who were desirous to join in the celebration.

The event on the theme 93Celebrating Our Kente Heritage", would create a platform for the re-branding the agenda of Ghana.

The statement said the event would also serve as a vehicle for awareness creation and sensitization about the economic significance of the Kente industry, and how to unearth the potential as a foreign exchange earner for national development.

It said there would be a fun raising dinner dance, to establish a 'Seed Fund' to assist persons in the Kente weaving business who were faced with financial challenges.

The statement noted that personalities and special guest invited for the occasion included; Mr Alex Asum Ahensah, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Ms. Akua Dansua, Minister of Tourism and Nii Armah Ashitey, Greater Accra Regional Minister.

It said Professor Akilakpa Sawyerr would be the Guest Speaker whiles the co-chairman would be Togbui Afede XIV, The Agbogbomefia of the Ho Traditional Area, with support from a representative of the Asantehene.

The statement said all invited guest are expected to dress in their Kente Cloth or Fugu attire, and expressed the hope that the public would join in the celebration to uphold and defend the rich cultural heritage of the country.