Ghana’s cultural heritage takes centre stage in Moscow as Mahama visits Kente exhibition

President John Mahama visited Woven Meanings, an exhibition dedicated to Ghana’s traditional kente textile, at the All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts in Moscow on the sidelines of his participation in the Russia-Africa Summit.

The Centre for Public Diplomacy (CPD) organised the exhibition, with direct assistance from the Russian House of the Centre for Public Diplomacy in Ghana, and it forms part of the International Festival of African Culture and Cinema Africa: Together into the Future.

The exhibition is also part of the cultural programme for the Third Russia–Africa Summit.

Kente, one of the most recognisable symbols of Ghana’s cultural heritage, occupies a central place in the exhibition. The textile is distinguished by its intricate geometric patterns, colour combinations and rich symbolism.

Skilled artisans' designs convey historical narratives, social values, and cultural traditions carefully preserved and passed down from generation to generation.

During his visit, President Mahama explored how Ghana’s traditional textile art is being presented to Russian audiences.

The exhibition features samples of kente fabric, a traditional weaving loom still used by artisans in the Kumasi area, and two items of particular historical and national significance: a kente cloak associated with Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and a cloak belonging to the current President John Mahama.

The exhibition shows how Ghana’s traditional craftsmanship remains relevant in the modern world, connecting the country’s history and national identity with contemporary fashion, design, and cultural expression.

During his visit, President Mahama emphasised the important role of cultural understanding in strengthening relations between countries.

“Although we have established intergovernmental contacts and relations between our two countries, the strongest and most enduring ties are those between people. And these ties can only be strengthened through an understanding of each other’s cultures,” the President remarked.

The President also thanked the partners for organising the exhibition in Moscow, noting the interest it had attracted among Russian visitors and the availability of explanatory texts in Russian.

Tatyana Rybkina, Director of the All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts, said the exhibition attracted considerable public attention. She said more than 11,000 people visited the exhibition in less than two weeks.

Dmitry Savelyev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs and Director General of the Centre for Public Diplomacy, highlighted the historical foundations of relations between Russia and Ghana, including educational cooperation established during the Soviet period.

He also thanked the museum for its partnership and support in organising the exhibition.

The Russian House of the Centre for Public Diplomacy in Ghana's direct assistance reflects its commitment to promoting Ghanaian culture in Russia and strengthening humanitarian and cultural ties between the two countries.

By presenting Ghana’s textile heritage to Russian audiences, the exhibition deepens mutual understanding and strengthens people-to-people connections.

The exhibition celebrates Ghana’s cultural identity and clearly shows the role cultural diplomacy plays in bringing Ghana and Russia closer together.