Celebrating Ghanaian Craft and Sustainable Design
We're very excited to announce a significant milestone for our company: our first foray into furniture design! Introducing the legs accent table.
For this project we partnered with Tekura, a Ghanaian woodcraft company that shares our deep commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship. Bringing together Twenty One Tonnes' design with Tekura's craft we have produced a piece that embodies the shared values of both our companies and marks an exciting new direction for Twenty One Tonnes.
TEKURA
Tekura's story is one of vision, dedication, and a profound respect for the environment. Founded in 2000 by Emmanuel Kweku Takyi Forson and Josephine Aba Kurankyewa Mensah, Tekura emerged as a pioneer in utilizing wood offcuts – what others might consider waste – to create beautiful and environmentally conscious furniture. Emmanuel and Josephine’s foresight in leveraging sustainable materials established Tekura’s unique identity from the very beginning. They believed that furniture could be both functional and aesthetic, while contributing to the well-being of the planet.
Their core values — sustainability, handmade craftsmanship, and design — became the guiding principles that have shaped Tekura for nearly 25 years. These values have been passed down through generations, with Emmanuel and Josephine entrusting the leadership of Tekura to their daughter, Audrey Forson, in 2017. Under Audrey’s stewardship, Tekura continues to flourish as a beacon of sustainable and responsible business practices, setting an example for the industry.
SUSTAINABLE SOURCING
Tekura’s commitment to sustainable wood sourcing is truly remarkable. They partner with the Forestry Commission of Ghana to act as waste collectors within the forest ecosystem. This means they collect waste wood from various plantations under strict supervision, transforming what would otherwise be discarded or used as firewood into a diverse range of high-quality wood products. This innovative approach not only minimizes environmental impact and promotes a circular economy but also contributes to forest conservation efforts and reduces the adverse environmental impact associated with traditional wood sourcing methods.
Tekura's dedication to recycling and repurposing materials helps lower carbon emissions and preserve biodiversity. They also implement eco-friendly production practices, including the use of non-toxic finishes, further reducing their carbon footprint.
PRESERVATION OF TRADITIONAL CRAFT
Tekura’s responsibility extends beyond environmental concerns to empowering local communities. They provide employment opportunities for young women and men from rural communities, ensuring fair wages and safe working environments. They also offer skills development and apprenticeship opportunities for local youth, helping to preserve traditional craftsmanship and artistry, passing these valuable skills down through generations.
These values resonate deeply with us at Twenty One Tonnes. We believe in the power of handcrafted design to connect us to both our environment and the artisans who create these beautiful objects.
LEGS ACCENT TABLE
These elegant tripod accent tables feature sculptural hand carved legs and a rich red-brown finish. Made from sustainably sourced mahogany in Ghana by Tekura’s skilled artisans, the Legs Accent Table is a marriage of thoughtful design, natural sustainable materials and traditional craftsmanship.
