College of Art and Built Environment

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Browsing College of Art and Built Environment by Author "Acheampong, Alex (Rev)"

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    Investigation into the dying indigenous pottery industry in the Ashanti Region
    (June 2015) Acheampong, Alex (Rev)
    The indigenous pottery industry in the Ashanti Region has served for many decades as a source of employment to the indigenous people, especially women. Its significant contribution to the tourism sector of the nation also cannot be overemphasised. For several reasons, the indigenous pottery industry, which significantly demonstrates the traditional manufacturing techniques through the use of appropriate indigenous technologies, and also upholds the cultural values of the people may soon get lost as the years come by. It has been observed that the industry is retrogressing. The trade has been left in the hands of very few older women; many towns which were popularly identified with the pot making business have lost that fame. This research therefore focused on finding the causes that have led to the near collapse of the indigenous pottery industry in the Ashanti region and to find ways to avert the situation. The researcher visited five of the popular pottery towns namely Afari, Adankwame, Mfensi, Apiadu and Pankrono. Respondents were selected for interview and discussions to gather data for the study. Findings from the research revealed that, the trade was still being practiced by women, clay was still available, but the industry in most of the towns has collapsed. However, there was high patronage for the products. The researcher discovered that the current generation (youth) were found not to be interested in the trade. It was also realised that urbanization and expansion of towns has negatively affected the industry. These were clear evidence that the industry is confronted with challenges. The following are some of the recommendations proposed by the researcher; that authorities concerned should do well to preserve clay sites to avoid being taken over by estate developers; that attempt should be made to transfer the skills from the old women to the youth; that traditional pottery should be introduced to the Junior High School curriculum and also an idea about pottery centre system has also been suggested.