Bôhten: Sharpening Vision with Sustainable Craftsmanship
Model wearing Bôhten Aya Navy Blue Sunglases
Photo from Bôhten
When one thinks of African design, thoughts often turn to vibrant fabrics and intricate clothing. Yet, a pioneering brand is challenging these perceptions, demonstrating that even eyewear can be a profound expression of heritage and innovation. Bôhten Eyewear, founded by Ghanaian-Canadian brothers Nana Boateng Osei and Nana Kwadwo Osei, is at the forefront of this movement. Launched in 2012 (officially in 2013), Bôhten meticulously blends African heritage, sustainable materials, and world-class design to create eyewear that is bold, purposeful, and brings vision, culture, and craftsmanship into sharp focus.
Ghanaian Brothers Nana Boateng and Nana Kwadwo, Founders of Bohten Eyewear
Photo from Bôhten on Instagram
The Roots of an Idea: From Kwahu Hills to Global Eyewear
The story of Bôhten begins with a deep connection to roots. Despite growing up traveling and living across different continents, the Osei brothers consistently returned to Ghana, their motherland, for visits to their ancestral village with their father. It was during one such trip to Ghana, while visiting family in their hometown of Kwahu, that the idea for Bôhten first sparked in Nana Boateng Osei’s mind. Inspired by his family's involvement in the wood business, he envisioned using reclaimed wood to craft glasses.
Nana Boateng initially pursued this innovative concept during his university days, where he pitched it with a friend in a competition that offered crucial support. When their paths diverged, Nana Boateng brought his brother, Nana Kwadwo, into the venture. The siblings collaborated, officially launching Bôhten in 2013. Early exposure, including a television spotlight and a pitch to the Dragon's Den Canada jury as part of a student special, helped propel their nascent brand into the limelight, demonstrating that family collaboration and strategic visibility can significantly advance a business idea.
Fusing African Essence with Eco-Conscious Design
Handcrafted Prescription Eyewear Made from Reclaimed Material Sourced from Ghana
Photo from Folklore
Bôhten Eyewear asks an intriguing question: What if world-class, stylish, and sustainable eyewear could be born from Africa? The brand’s aesthetic, as described by the Oseis, is directly inspired by "the rolling hills and deep hues of nature’s own palette found in Kwahu, Ghana." This love for nature and Ghanaian heritage underpins every collection, creating exuberant pieces with luxury and sustainability as core tenets.
What truly sets Bôhten apart is its profound fusion of African heritage with an eco-conscious approach. Unlike brands that merely reference Africa, Bohten’s very material source is embedded in the continent. They emphasize that while fashion is often unsustainable, Bôhten aims to change this by creating eco-friendly luxury eyewear. They achieve this by utilizing reclaimed materials sourced from West Africa, including unique woods such as Redwood, Zebra wood, and Ebony wood, along with materials like wheat straw, Maple, Rosewood, and Bamboo. As Kouyaté notes, this practice of using existing resources to create new ones reflects an "African, third-world nations' philosophy: To use things up. You don't waste anything but create new from old."
These choices result in eyewear that is more than just a utilitarian object. Bôhten believes glasses are personal items, meant to be among one's most cherished possessions. Their wooden frames are notably lightweight, easy to maintain, and full of distinct character, exuding both retro charm and modern appeal. Many individuals who feel self-conscious in glasses discover newfound confidence and style when they try on a pair of Bohtens.
World-Class Craftsmanship and a Vision for Africa's Future
The creation of Bôhten glasses involves a meticulous, multi-step process that combines global expertise with local sourcing. It begins by scouring the African continent to find sustainably harvested materials. The design and prototyping phases then take place at their hub in Accra, Ghana. From there, the materials are shipped by sea to their manufacturing facilities in Japan and Canada, where the frames are carefully handcrafted and assembled by global partners.
Bôhten leverages the latest technologies, including 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining, in its production. A single Bôhten frame is constructed from three layers of wood, cut individually and then precisely pressed together. Following this, the model-specific design is applied, and finally, each frame is varnished with a protective layer of wax, rendering the glasses water-resistant.
Nana Boateng Osei articulates Bohten’s ambitious future: "Our vision for Bôhten is to build a global heritage eyewear brand that shares Africa’s inspiration with the world. The future for Bôhten eyewear lies in building sustainable supply chains across Africa. Bôhten continues to work towards the goal of manufacturing in Africa within the next 5 years." This commitment reflects a broader mission to empower African craftsmanship and share its rich story on a global scale.
Bôhten Eyewear stands as a powerful example of how deep respect for heritage, innovative sustainability, and world-class design can converge to create products that are not just accessories, but statements of identity and purpose.