The shoemakers of the Kejetia Market are very angry

The famous Kejetia market in Kumasi, the beating heart of Ghana’s commerce, is the scene of an unprecedented artisanal protest that could well change the consumption habits of thousands of residents.

Faced with the massive influx of foreign manufactured goods, local shoemakers have taken the radical step of ceasing all repairs on imported shoes.

This measure of artisanal protectionism stems from a bitter observation: the overwhelming dominance of these low-cost, often inferior, items is gradually stifling traditional manufacturers.

These artisans, who possess dual skills as repairers and creators, are raising the alarm about the paralysis of a once-flourishing local industry renowned for its resilience.

By refusing to extend the lifespan of products that threaten their own existence, the shoemakers of Kejetia intend to promote « Made in Ghana » production and encourage customers to reinvest in regional crafts.

This standoff underscores the vulnerability of traditional crafts to globalization and raises the question of the survival of ancestral skills in the major urban centers of West Africa.