Besides using the surface of the cloth to convey messages, either through written or representational imagery, Akan woman's dress designers also shape the garment itself to convey some messages. The manner in which the cloth is worn can also be used for very expressive communication. From 1958 to about 1964, Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana had a penchant to use his pen to sign deportation and detention orders as a method of controlling political opponents. Some political opponents had resorted to violence and several unsuccessful attempts were made on his life by his political opponents. His pen was, therefore, considered mightier than the sword.
Recent development is to name the cloths in English.
Two examples are given below. Popular ones include Major Kwame Asante and Ama Serwaa. That is, empty barrels make the most noise. The ideograph stems from the conspicuous consumption by some rich people during the rapid urbanization of Koforidua following the success of the cocoa industry, and later the diamond mining industry in the Eastern Region of Ghana at the turn of the nineteenth century. Afe bi ye asiane .