Redefine the Global Textile Future

Good Morning!

It is an amazing privilege to Welcome all of you here today for the opening of this landmark conference.  We are here to Redefine the Global Textile Future: Let me recognize and welcome the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability. The Honourable Isifu Seidu and thank him for his support towards the Landfills to Landmarks event, and especially towards the work of the co-founders Henry and Samuel are doing. Now let me welcome all of you distinguished ladies and gentlemen. 

And let me introduce myself my name is Renée C. Neblett  and the founding director of the Kokrobitey Institute home to the sustainable fashion brand Wote. 

Kokrobitey Institute is dedicated to understanding the traditional knowledge Ghanaian cultures especially as they relate to development and sustainability. We provide a forum for researchers, artists, environmentalists, designers and others committed to education, sustainability, resourceful design and social entrepreneurship. 

Our goal is to support systems of development that respect our environment and those who inhabit it. 

Let me share a bit of my story. When I arrived in the fishing village of Kokrobitey nearly 30 years ago I was stunned by its sheer natural beauty. It was the most pristine, verdant landscape I had ever experienced in my life.  It was literally a paradise. there was no electricity, no running water, no corner shop, none of the amenities that I thought essential to navigating life on a daily basis.  But, there were still clear sacred water holes, people knew Water was important, you could tell by how measured people were using it. It was remarkable to watch how far a cup of water could go. In the morning the village was bustling; everyone was up and about collecting what they needed for the day; the fisherman were at sea, (except on Tuesday, because that’s the day the sea rested) the woman were about gathering different plants, in those times there were so many crabs on the shore you had to literally jump out their way to dodge them.  It was a self-contained community/economy; you buy my kenke I buy your fish.

Everyone was so conversant with their environment. I learned a tree was more than just a tree. People knew every leaf & shrub. They knew what the bark could do, the root, could do the flower. I remember the first time I got malaria my driver took me to his mother village and she gave me a full body neem steam. It was obviously successful, I’m here today to tell you about it.  or the first time I got a rash, and various herbs were mixed together, or when I was given guava tea for an upset stomach. People knew food was medicine and the ingredients in soups and sauces often depended on the health of the community. 

I can honestly say despite the fact that the life was so different from anything I had ever known. I don’t ever remember thinking of the people as poor, rather I thought these are some of the most intelligent people I had ever met. That is not to say I didn’t think things could develop or grow. 

But, I can tell you I was completely overwhelmed by a body of knowledge I did not have. 

In fact in retrospect the experience completely transformed my understanding of what it means to be literate. I, believed like most of us I think believe that literacy was confined to the ability to read write and comprehend the written and spoken word.

 I now believe-not believe know a primary literacy is the ability to read your environment to know what nature gives you and what You are obliged to give it in return. I was further blown away when I learned that the Twi word for body is ’Nipa Dua’ which literally translated means Human Tree.  that I clearly brought  home how just how deeply rooted Ghanaians understand  their kinship to the natural environment.

Just imagine people who up until this century could all afford hand crafted clothing of natural fiber that celebrated their essence, and look at how they have fallen victim to the dumping of used clothing & fast fashion in their world. It is through the lens of this reality that Kokrobitey Institute engages with fashion.

But, with every cloud the sun is not always far. Let’s imagine this problem like many can be as an opportunity. One I think we will discover at this conference.

The story of kente cloth, The Pride of Ghana should guide and inspire how we see the future of textile production. The culture of Kente cloth is about aesthetics, history, craftsmanship, decentralized production, value, circularity, ceremony and ultimately about community.  

I believe if here in Ghana we began to understand our development as part of the world‘s development, and the knowledge we have as critical to  the broader world discourse we would not only challenge  current models. We would ask why in the midst of a world-wide discourse on sustainability Why are we adopting development models that have proven unsustainable? 

The world, needs a new model of development, It’s time that we in Ghana assume our status of Global citizenship and take responsibility to share our cultural knowledge with our global partners. 

Let’s start with gathering the stake holders in this room to begin the discourse on how we collectively create the circularity needed to turn textile waste into a global revolution that holds us all responsible in understanding that the future of fashion must be sustainable. It can be done-It is not that difficult. It  requires-depends on our ability to work in this industry across disciplines and across borders, enlisting all of us the: global brands,  manufactures,  young designers, women mending , those involved in packaging, innovators, consumers, those managing waste collection  all of us coming together to find solutions, to make a global impact to reshape the face of the fashion world.  It can be done and we can do it.

Let’s not forget what our ancestors knew and practiced, that land is more than territory or property. It is a living breathing network of relationships between humans, non-humans, histories and futures. Let what we do here at this conference be the spark that ignites a whole new way of thinking, imagining and working together. Let’s make this happen! We are Here to Redefine the Global Textile Future!