Before Ghana gained its Independence in 1957, the town known today as Tema went by the name "Torman," and was a small fishing village on the Atlantic coast. Residents of this area were known for growing a variety of calabash plant called "Torma," which is how the town received its original name. Because of the town's proximity to water, it was identified as an ideal location for an industrial hub, and sadly, the local residents were displaced in order for the government to begin a rigorous plan of development. The name of the area was changed to Tema, and in 1962, Tema Harbour was officially opened as a trading port.Today Tema is celebrated as one of the best designed cities in all of West Africa. It offers modern social amenities and recreational centers, and an efficient and well-maintained system of lighted paved roadways. Tema is also home to a popular shopping center, and a wide range of industries such as aluminum, petroleum, fishing, cement, and textiles. One of the main textile producers located in Tema is Edtex, a fabric manufacturer specializing in beautiful batiks, and a favorite of some of the world's top designers and fashionistas - including the First Lady of Style, Michelle Obama.
Edtex was founded in 1993, and quickly rose to prominence for its high quality fabric available in an array of striking patterns and colors. In addition to producing a full line of textiles, Edtex also offers finished products for home and fashion including curtains, tablecloths, placemats, bags, and aprons made from their batiks. Batiks, known for their unique patterns, are defined by the dyeing process rather than by a specific raw material or weaving technique. The dyeing process is a type of wax-resist dyeing in which wax is meticulously applied in a specific arrangement before coloring. The wax-coated areas resist the color of the dye and thus impart a pattern. This process can be repeated multiple times on the same piece of fabric by removing the wax with boiling water and then beginning the technique again with a new pattern and hue.Edtex holds itself to the highest standards of production quality. They source only the finest raw materials and in-house designers ensure that their patterns are always unique and inspired. Edtex is committed to empowering the local community of artisans and skilled workers and has established an expert team of employees, all of whom are paid a fair wage and encouraged to contribute their specific creative visions to the company.
Edtex boasts a large customer base both locally and internationally, and with each new collection, they help to create a brighter future both for Ghana and for the worldwide appreciation of the traditional craft of batik.