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Calabash: Symbol of Ghanaian culture, pride
FOR generations, the calabash, a dried gourd shell known for its versatility, has remained an integral part of Ghanaian culture and tradition.
Native to Africa and widely used across tropical and subtropical regions, the calabash (Lagenaria siceraria or Crescentia cujete) has served as a container, utensil, musical instrument resonator, and decorative piece.
From Nigeria to Senegal, The Gambia to Mali, and across Ghana, it has carried water, stored food, and shaped instruments such as rattles and harps.
Cultural significance
In Ghana, the calabash symbolises nourishment, resilience, wisdom, and life.
• The calabash fruit
ments showcased internationally, including Berlin Fashion Week 2025, blending tradition with innovation.
Eco-friendly packaging: Skincare brand, Nokware, uses calabash shells for soaps and cleansers, merging tradition with sustainable luxury.
This trend is also part of a broader movement toward sustainable fashion. As a natural, biodegradable material, calabash offers an eco-friendly alternative to synthetics.
Preserving heritage
Mr Godson Lucky Tome, Director of the Centre for National Culture in Krachi East, stressed the importance of safeguarding calabash-making.
He stated that: “The calabash is a symbol of our cultural identity, and we must continue to promote and preserve it for future generations.”
Efforts by artisans and cultural institutions are ensuring that calabash-making remains vibrant, blending tradition with innovation.
A lasting symbol
calabash offcuts.
Lecturer Patience Dedume of the Department of Fashion Design and Textiles of the Ho Technical University, highlighted its versatility.
She indicated that: “Today, calabash is used in accessories, garment construction, and even beauty packaging, bridging cultural heritage with modern sustainable design.”
The calabash can be seen in jewelry and adornment, necklaces, earrings; bangles carved from calabash.
It is more than a household tool; it is a cultural emblem woven into ceremonies, rituals, and everyday living.
Nana Kwame Agyeman, linguist of the Akroso Traditional Council, explained: “Calabash is more than just a container; it is a symbol of our tradition and cultural heritage. No ritual undertaking is concluded without it.”
Weddings, funerals, and rites of passage often feature the calabash as a sign of unity and continuity.
Commerce and community
Beyond rituals, the calabash plays a vital role in local trade.
Palmwine Seller, Togbe Azanda of the Kparekpare community, said: “We use it to serve palm wine to our customers — it represents hospitality and generosity.”
Similarly, Madam Rita Akua Serwaa, Pito brewer in Dambai Old Town, praised the practicality of the calabash.
She said: “The calabash keeps the drink fresh and even adds to its flavour. Its use fosters social cohesion, bringing people together during celebrations and times of mourning, while teaching values of cooperation and community living.”
Fashion and innovation
The calabash’s journey from ritual vessel to runway accessory reflects a broader movement to reclaim indigenous materials as markers of pride and identity.
Designers such as the late Kofi Ansah pioneered its use in high fashion, while contemporary brands like Adjeley craft bold jewelry from recycled
• Calabash used as a handbag for women
In the textile industry, it is used for tools: Stamps for Adinkra cloth printing, carrying symbolic meanings.
In high fashion: Avant-garde garments showcased internationally.
From ritual ceremonies to modern fashion runways, from palm wine sellers to luxury skincare brands, the calabash continues to inspire and educate.
It stands as a lasting symbol of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage — a humble gourd that embodies tradition, creativity and sustainability, echoing tradition to exotic resource.
A GNA Feature by Kingsley Mamore
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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