Artisan - Maata N Tudu Association

Maata N Tudu Association who supply us with Bolgatanga baskets. The Maaata N Tudu is an association of rural women in Bolgatanga, Northern Ghana who have come together to improve the quality of their lives through skills training, savings, loans and mutual self-help. Many of these women live on less than $1 a day.

eShopAfrica pays a much higher rate for their products than they are able to get in the local markets. This is one of our most socially valuable products as all baskets purchased directly help to improve the lives of these rural women.

Artisan: Bob Dennis

Artisan - Bob Dennis
Bob Dennis the Ewe Kente weaver. Bob is from Agbozume in the Volta Region. Amongst the Ewe, whose live across the border between Eastern Ghana and Western Togo, the art of weaving is a legacy handed from father to son. This is how Bob learned and started helping his father by winding threads onto bobbins at the age of six. As soon as hig legs could reach the treadles he was allowed to move on to loom. Under his father's tutelage Bob has learned everything there is to know about Kente weaving. He has written a book on Ewe Kente weaving which is to be published soon and also teaches classes in Ewe Kente weaving to pass on his knowledge to the youth of Ghana.

Artisan: Accra Kente Weaver's Cooperative

Artisan - Accra Kente Weaver's Cooperative
Accra Kente weavers cooperative, Accra who supply kente cloth & strips. The kente weaver's in Accra operate as a cooperative - we partner with the chief weaver who ensures the kente is of the highest quality. They are experts at producing Kente cloth and strips in the traditional Asante designs.

Artisan supporter: Eric Boateng

Artisan supporter - Eric Boateng
Eric Boateng a textile trader is from Ghana. He grew up in the business of textiles. His mother and sister were textile traders and by helping them after school he became familiar with many different types. Now that he has completed his schooling, his mother is able to retire as Eric has become the key trader. Although his family were originally kente cloth traders Eric has made contact with artisans in Mali and Burkina Faso producing mudcloth and indigo cloth and he has become one of the best known mudcloth traders in Ghana. He is studying computers to upgrade his skills - he says that you just can't stay in one place you have to learn and improve yourself.

Artisan: Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou

Artisan - Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou
Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou is a group of weavers ofpaigne or wide loom cloth. They use commercial cotton thread to hand weave beautiful lengths of material or shawls. Colours and designs are constantly changing but stripes are always a favourite as are ikat patterns.

Artisan: Universal Drums Enterprise

Artisan - Universal Drums Enterprise
Hayford Aboagye (Akwasi) I was born in Ghana, the Eastern Region at Suhum in 1981. This is his story:
I moved from my mother at the age of ten years and stayed with my Aunt and Grandfather at Aburi in the Eastern Region.My grandfather is a wood carver and also makes drums, so after school I went to his workshop to help him. Through that, I learnt how to make drums and woodcarvings.After graduating from High School, I moved to the Art Center in Accra and joined a drumming and dancing group for three years, and then with the help of a friend I started my own drum making business Universal Drums Enterprise.My objective is to manufacture high quality products only, putting my customers first thus maintaining the best of relationship between myself and my customers. I also wish to export my products to all part of the world.I have trained ten strong boys whom I'm working with currently. I'm now Managing Director of Universal Drums Enterprise!

Feedback: Musical Instruments: Barbara Lyons, US

THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!! EVERY BIT AND MORE OF WHAT I EXPECTED. I am REALLY pleased with the drum cases. The quality is superior. I'm sorry I didn't order 8; but, live and learn. The talking drums are a real kick. I know my kids (grown ones too) will love them.