WHO IS THE OFFICIAL CLOTH DESIGNER FOR THE BLACKS?

For some time now, there has been some confusion in the minds of people over which Ghanaian designer is the ‘official clothier’ for the Ghana Black Stars ( if indeed there is such a title). I think the confusion came after the footballers wore some lovely caftans to the Presidential Gala held by president Mahama to send off the Black Stars on their journey to Brazil. As previously reported by Ameyawdebrah.com, most of the footballers were clothed by Chocolate Kweku Bediako. The rest were from Acote Collections by Opoku Mensah David. Big Brother Africa star and fashion designer, Elikem Kumordzie took to social media to announce that he was the official designer for the Black Stars, because he has an arrangement to design off pitch attires for the footballers for later, in Brazil. His comment made people including some media to believe that the clothing from the presidential gala were his creations. A case of miscommunication? Check out the official statement from Acote Collection on the confusion. To Spectator and Ghanasoccernet.com – Over the last few days, attempts by some media men and their clothing designer friend to claim the praise for the bespoke, customised caftans worn by many members of the blackstars squad at a presidential ball with John Mahama before leaving for Brazil have made headline news in both the regular press and on blog sites over the internet. It is regrettable to see a recognised, state-owned newspaper like the “Weekly Spectator” which has churned out well researched stories and news to feed a discerning bunch of their patrons over a considerably long number of years to blunder gravely in last Saturday’s headline story on Elikem the tailor. The corresponding picture and caption were inaccurate as it portrayed Elikem as the designer of the Caftans worn by the stars. In the same vein, Ghanasoccernet, an online sports site over last few days published a similar story touting Elikem as the maker of the clothes that added the needed colour and finesse to that august event. In an industry where creativity is the mainstay, where sleepless nights are rampant just to meet deadlines, it is only fair and just to protect the works and creations of the players in their field of endeavour. The onus then lies on the designer firstly to patent his works. However, the greater responsibility of protecting these creative works should be on the mass media especially, as they have the power and machinery to promote only after doing due diligence to fully authenticate their stories and promo messages. Acote collections by Opoku Mensah David and Chocolate by Kweku Bediako were the designers of those ravishing clothes for the stars at the presidential ball. These young entrepreneurs championing the made in Ghana agenda can only be supported and not sabotaged. Their joint plea is simple; Elikem and the media houses promoting this anomaly must set the record straight and give praise where it’s due. Source: Ameyawdebrah.com