Bonwire, the historic home of Ghana‘s iconic Kente cloth, has honoured cultural advocate Amma Prempeh, also known as Nana Amma Konadu Yiadom Prempeh, by naming a rare and symbolic Kente design after her.
With the honour, it is now possible to request “Amma Prempeh Kente,” just as one would ask for well-known designs such as Adwenasa, Gifty Anti, or Fathia Fata Nkrumah Kente.
The recognition was bestowed by the chiefs, elders, and people of Bonwire in appreciation of her exceptional contribution to the promotion, preservation, and global elevation of Bonwire Kente.
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As Ghana’s Kente Ambassador and producer of the country’s first Kente culture documentary, The Importance of Kente to Ghanaians & Black Africans, Amma Prempeh has played a key role in telling the authentic story of Kente to international audiences.
Elders of Bonwire describe the “Amma Prempeh” Kente as a cloth of distinction, reserved for individuals and moments of extraordinary merit, symbolising rarity, singularity, and lasting impact.
The design closely resembles “Ɛmaa da,” the rare Kente presented by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to the Prime Minister of Barbados. Translated as “First of its kind” or “Never seen before,” the cloth represents historic milestones rooted in tradition and innovation.
Through media, film, and research, Amma Prempeh has emerged as one of Ghana’s leading cultural torchbearers. Her documentary on Kente premiered in Kumasi on August 26, 2023, with subsequent screenings in Accra and across major international platforms, including Harvard Kennedy School, Howard University, the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the U.S.
Congress during Black History Month.
Further screenings were held in New York, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
On June 24, 2025, she released a second documentary, Kente Weavers Story, which highlighted the challenges faced by Bonwire weavers and called for support, particularly in modern weaving workshops and yarn factories.
The documentary received nationwide attention and was aired on major television platforms in Ghana.
In her acceptance remarks, Amma Prempeh expressed gratitude to Nana Nyarko Frimpomaa II, the Nana Kentehene, the Nana Kentehemaa, traditional leaders, elders, and the people of Bonwire.
She described the naming of the Kente after her as both an honour and a responsibility, and called on government, private institutions, philanthropists, and the global community to support Bonwire weavers by investing in production infrastructure and purchasing Kente directly from the town.
Ayekoo Amma Konadu Yiadom Prempeh. Piawwwwwwwwwww!!! She noted that the honour has strengthened her resolve to continue advocating for the protection, sustainability, and global recognition of Ghana’s treasured Kente heritage.”
