OBAAKOFO MMU MAN Kente

Literally means “one person does not rule a nation.”

It expresses the Akan system of governance based on participatory democracy. The nine squares represent MPUANKRON (nine tufts of hair) a ceremonial hair cut of some royal functionaries who help rulers make decisions. Originally the cloth was named FATHIA FATA NKRUMA. “Fathia is a suitable wife for Nkrumah.” After the military overthrow of Nkrumah, the original significance of MPUANKRON (participatory democracy) was applied to reflect the prevailing political atmosphere.