Decline of Glass Beads Production in Ashanti Region of Ghana

Abstract

Bead heritage and powder-glass beadmaking arts of Ashanti have evolved over several centuries. This glass beadmaking tradition which forms a significant part of Ghana’s cultural heritage seems to be fast declining. The study was an attempt to investigate the decline of glass beadmaking in Ashanti. It was conducted mainly in three glass beads producing centres in the Atwima Nwabiagya district of Ashanti Region. The sample in this study consisted of twenty-five participants who were purposively selected. Besides interviews and observations, secondary data inputs generated from published materials were the instruments used to gather data for the study. Findings of the study revealed that the use of obsolete equipment and inefficient production techniques, marketing challenges, slow adaptation to modern designs and technology, and abolition of some traditional cultural practices are among the major causes of the decline of glass bead production in Ashanti. This study recommends that the decline of glass beads production in Ashanti could be solved by introducing simple but efficient machinery and better processing techniques, producing new glass bead designs that have a contemporary look and appeal to the international export market, focusing on innovation and exploration of new bead designs that could serve as a mixed media for other contemporary artistic products and re-position the glass beads producing centres in Atwima Nwiabigya district to make beadmaking art and bead heritage as destination for cultural tourism.

Keywords: Beads, glass beads, glass-powder beads, design, beadmaking techniques.