LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY

GOBA Kente Limited, a proudly Ghanaian company producing bespoke Kente, one of Africa’s most universally recognized fabrics

Baaba Ankrah is the founder of GOBA Kente in Accra, Ghana, a company specializing in bespoke Kente, one of the most universally recognized of all African fabrics. Her business produces highly authentic, handcrafted Kente products to a wide range of clients, thereby contributing to the promotion of indigenous handwoven Kente and the work of craftsmen in Ghana. On a personal level, Baaba is a determined woman with a dream to succeed. Calling herself a bona fide hustler, she says she is passionate about learning and consistently strives to position herself to receive all the blessings God and life has to offer, one day at a time.

Lioness Weekender spoke to the tenacious Baaba Ankrah about her path to becoming an entrepreneur and to learn more about her ambitions for the future.

What does your company do?

GOBA Kente is a company producing bespoke Kente, one of the most universally recognized of all African fabrics. Our business, which is located at Number 27 Westland Boulevard in Accra, Ghana, was started 11 years ago unofficially, and 5 years officially, and now employs 7 people.

What inspired you to start your company?

I began my entrepreneurial journey as a way of making ends meet for myself and family when my efforts proved futile in securing a job with my economics background in corporate Ghana.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

GOBA Kente is incredibly special and unique due to its rich history and cultural significance. Each fabric tells a story and represents a significant part of the Ghanaian culture. The vibrant colours and intricate patterns are a testament to the creativity and artistry of the Ghanaian people. Additionally, the fabric is often made using traditional techniques and materials, which makes it sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Tell us a little about your team

Team GOBA as we call ourselves are made up of incredibly talented and hardworking individuals. Each person brings a unique perspective and skill set to the table, which makes collaborating with them a real pleasure. We all share a common goal of delivering authentic work and supporting each other along the way.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

My entrepreneurial journey is forever revolving. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I've had to learn various functional elements needed to build a thriving business. These learnings span from bookkeeping, inventory management, to curating the perfect ambience for customer experience, as well as marketing and having the world fall in love with Ghana's Indigenous handwoven Kente all over again.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

Future plans includes launching ready to wear lines and scaling up the brand to other African countries and beyond.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

I find the most satisfaction in watching GOBA Kente grow to becoming a household name that ensures that customers worldwide are absolutely satisfied with our products and services while changing lives through our social impact projects.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

My advice to young women is to stay true to themselves and they shouldn't just follow social media trends. Take risks while afraid, you will learn through them. Take networking seriously and seek out mentors to guide you along the way.

Find out more

Email: gobaworld@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kentebyGOBA

Instagram: https://instagram.com/goba_kente?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==