Beading as a therapeutic activity in Ghana

Africa’s fascinating bead history pre-dates the African Trade Bead era by over 82,000 years. Beads, thought to be over 12,000 years old have been found within Libya, Sudan and Kenya where the Turkana people once recognised beads for their value as currency. Cowrie shell beads and bone beads are thought to be among the first types of beads until glass beads were introduced from Western Europe. The Krobo land is among notable bead manufacturing and beading areas in Ghana today. The article discusses the cultural importance of beading in Ghana and how the occupation is used therapeutically in a regional mental health hospital, based on the argument that activities of making intrinsic to traditional, user-centred design practices might impact well-being. In addition to well-being and their connection to making, the concepts of recycling and income generation are explored in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.