If you've been part of our community for any amount of time, you've heard us refer to SWOPA, the women's organization for traditional art that we work with in northern Ghana.
Today we're sharing their origin story. We hope you enjoy learning a little more about them!
The Sirigu Women’s Organization for Pottery and Art (SWOPA) was established by Melanie Kasise, who was born and raised in Sirigu, a small village in the northernmost region of Ghana.
Her mother made and sold traditional pottery to pay for Melanie and her siblings' school fees, and this made it possible for Melanie to graduate from high school, and then to become the first in her family to attend university. Melanie eventually became a teacher, and then a trainer of teachers.
When she retired from a 40-year career as an educator, Melanie wanted to honor her mother and the many other women of the region who support their children's education through their artwork.
And so in 1991 SWOPA was born. The organization aims to empower local women by providing them with vocational training, income-generating opportunities, and a platform to showcase their artistic talents. It also seeks to protect the rich cultural heritage of the Kassena-Nankana people, preserving traditional art forms and pottery techniques, which have been passed down through generations.
By providing training in these ancient crafts, SWOPA ensures that these cultural traditions are not lost but celebrated and shared.
There are now over 250 women artists in the region working with SWOPA: painters, potters and weavers.
We're honoured to work with this wonderful organization. The products we create together are the result of a years long partnership that has led to a collaborative design process that we are truly proud of.
