Textile and garment manufacturers operating within Accra’s Ajabeng enclave have urged the government to increase access to public procurement contracts, expand land availability, and offer greater support for machinery upgrades and worker training.
During a recent visit by Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Sampson Ahi, industry stakeholders voiced their concerns and proposals, emphasizing the need for inclusive job policies, particularly around employing persons with disabilities (PWDs) as Ghana prepares to roll out its 24-hour economy initiative.
“We are ready to contribute more to national production and job creation, but we need support that reflects our operational challenges,” one factory manager shared during the meeting.
Among the companies participating was Sixteen/47, a manufacturer of military uniforms for the Ghana Army, which also engages in exports. The company highlighted trade challenges within the West African region, including road delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks when shipping goods to Nigeria—a key market for Ghanaian textiles.
In response, Deputy Minister Ahi reassured the firms that the government is considering absorbing training costs for entry-level workers as a way to ease the financial strain on small and medium-sized factories.
“The government is committed to empowering local textile producers and will explore how best to support workforce development and industrial expansion,” Ahi said.
The visit underscores growing collaboration between the Ghanaian government and the country’s textile industry, seen as a critical sector for job creation, export diversification, and industrialization.
