The socio-economic development of a country depends on its citizenry. People, generally, model their lives around role models and certain values. Therefore, it is pertinent that role models or leaders lead the way to attain certain behavioural changes.
Former President J.A. Kufuor appealed to Ghanaians to wear Ghanaian prints on Fridays. The practice has caught up well with Ghanaians.
In recent times, the wearing of Ghanaian and other African prints by Ghanaians has evolved to wearing them on Fridays as well as other days.
The extended use of local Ghanaian fabrics which is aimed at creating jobs for Ghanaians has been challenging. This is because, a number of the African prints sold in Ghana are imported largely from China.
The designs are copied, the quality low and they are cheaper on the market.
Also, most people are making use of “convenient” African print garments that are already sewn. In other words, a lot more people are patronizing sewn African prints in varying types, styles and sizes, instead of buying the material and getting someone to sew it.
Speaking to some traders of locally made African prints, they expressed that patronage is encouraging.
However, Maame Yaa, a trader of sewn African print, could not hide her worry. She said, consequently, the pervasiveness of the business has made it challenging due to the large number of traders currently involved in it and this, has affected profits.
Are Ghanaians aware of what to look out for when buying locally made African prints for use?
In an interview, some consumers of sewn African garments expressed interest in the recent mode of trading African prints. It saves them time, energy and money as the clothes come in cheaper as a result of mass production.