LOSING OUR IDENTITY : THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF TRADING GHANAIAN DRESSING FOR WESTERN FASHION

LOSING OUR IDENTITY : THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF TRADING GHANAIAN DRESSING FOR WESTERN FASHION 

 By : Honeybrowne Okaakyire, B.Ed. 

As a proud Ghanaian and a culturalist, I cannot help but notice how our beautiful, rich culture especially our traditional way of dressing is slowly fading into the background. Everywhere I go, from the streets of Accra to the smallest towns, I see more jeans, crop tops, and suits than kente cloth, kaba and slit, and smock (fuugu). I ask myself: Are we borrowing the Western style of dressing to our own cultural detriment?

Our forefathers gave us a clothing heritage full of meaning, beauty, and identity. Kente, for example, is not just a colourful fabric; it tells a story of unity, strength, and history. The smock of the north speaks of pride, dignity, and craftsmanship. Yet, today, many Ghanaians only wear these outfits for weddings, funerals, and festivals almost as if they are costumes rather than everyday wear. I believe this is a sign of cultural erosion. 

One of the dangers of borrowing Western dressing habits is loss of cultural pride. When I see our youth eager to wear ripped jeans and branded T-shirts but embarrassed to wear a kente cloth or kaba to casual gatherings, I feel we are teaching ourselves that our culture is “out of fashion.” This is not just about fabric, it’s about mindset. We are unconsciously telling ourselves that Western is better, and Ghanaian is inferior. Hence, superior (Western culture) over inferior (the Ghanaian culture).

Another danger is economic dependency. Most Western clothes we love are imported. When I buy a foreign designer shirt, I am sending my money out of Ghana instead of supporting our local weavers, tailors, and seamstresses. Imagine if every Ghanaian proudly wore local fabrics regularly; our textile industry would thrive, our tailors would have more work, and young fashion entrepreneurs could build sustainable careers. But instead, we import bales of second-hand and anti-dumping clothes (what we call obroni wawu), weakening our own economy.

There is also the loss of cultural meaning and storytelling. Our traditional attire often reflects occasions, status, and values. A kente pattern might symbolize peace, bravery, or leadership. But a Western hoodie or baseball cap carries no such deep meaning for us; it is just fashion for fashion’s sake. I fear that by replacing our dressing style, we are also replacing the cultural stories that bind us together.

Let me give a real example. A few months ago, during a university graduation I attended, I noticed that almost everyone wore a Western suit under the gown. Only a few graduates wore African prints or kente. The sight saddened me. This was a perfect platform to showcase Ghanaian beauty to the world, yet we chose to look like everyone else. Meanwhile, in Scotland, graduates proudly wear kilts, and in Japan, cultural festivals feature traditional kimonos without shame. Why can’t we do the same as proud Ghanaians to preserve our rich culture?

Some may argue that times have changed and the world is becoming global, so it’s natural to adopt new styles. I agree, there is nothing wrong with variety. I also own a few Western clothes myself. I've suits and some obroni wawu myself. But the danger comes when we let this adoption push aside our own heritage until it becomes a relic in museums instead of a living part of our daily lives.

I believe we can blend the two worlds; modern designs made from Ghanaian fabrics, stylish jackets tailored from kente, and casual wear from tie-and-dye. This way, we remain fashionable without erasing who we are. As for me, I have decided to wear Ghanaian-made clothes at least three times a week, even for casual outings. I encourage you to try it too. 

In a nutshell, borrowing Western culture, especially in dressing can slowly strip away our cultural pride, weaken our economy, and erase our heritage if we are not careful. I am not calling for the rejection of all things from the foreign lands, but rather a conscious effort to keep our Ghanaian identity alive and get it preservd. Fashion should not just make us look good; it should remind us of who we are. If we lose our cultural dressing, we lose a part of our soul and that is too high a price to pay for a pair of skinny jeans.