Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry is pushing forward with a transformative policy to reinvigorate the country’s textiles and garments industry—positioning it as a key driver of youth employment, women’s empowerment, and industrial growth.
The Ghana Textiles and Garments Manufacturing Policy, currently in its final stages, aims to establish a robust value chain capable of supporting export diversification, attracting investment, and creating large-scale jobs. Officials say the new policy is part of a broader government strategy to energise industrial sectors and provide practical pathways for sustainable employment.
Speaking at a stakeholder dialogue in Accra on Thursday, Chief Director at the Ministry, Dr. Noah Tumfo, emphasised the sector’s job creation potential, especially for young people and women. “This policy is designed to tackle the real challenges of the industry and create a dynamic investment climate,” he said.
The forum—hosted by the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)—was themed “Revamping Ghana’s Textiles and Garments Industry – The Challenges, Pitfalls and Opportunities.” Participants explored how Ghana could unlock the industry’s latent potential through policy reform, technical assistance, and smart financing.
Dr. Tumfo outlined nine thematic areas the new policy will address, including regulatory and fiscal bottlenecks, trade facilitation, raw material development, investment promotion, and infrastructure. A key component is the development of garments and textiles parks with plug-and-play factory spaces to attract swift investment and reduce the cost and time of setup.
Crucially, the policy is aligned with the government’s forthcoming “24-hour economy” initiative, which encourages industries to operate on a round-the-clock basis for increased productivity and job absorption.
DBG CEO Dr. Randolph Nsor-Ambala assured participants of the bank’s commitment to financing the sector’s growth. He said textiles are more than just an industry—they represent an inclusive economic engine. “DBG stands not just as a financier but as a long-term structural transformation partner,” he noted, highlighting the bank’s focus on sustainable industrial growth.
AGI President Dr. Humphrey Kwesi Ayim Darke stressed the importance of a stable, export-oriented incentive regime. “Manufacturers are ready to invest, but they need consistency and clarity in the policy environment,” he said.
As Ghana prepares to launch the new policy framework, stakeholders say the future of the textiles and garments sector could become one of the country’s most promising industrial success stories—if implementation is matched with commitment and collaboration.
