Ghana’s ambition to become a competitive player in global apparel manufacturing is gaining renewed attention as industry leaders question whether the country can rival established Asian production hubs.
Mrs Nora Bannerman-Abbott, a leading voice in Ghana’s garment and textile sector, says the country’s competitiveness will depend less on aspiration and more on deliberate industrial policy reforms targeting cost efficiency, skills development, and supply chain integration.
Speaking on the state of the industry, she noted that countries such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, and China have built globally competitive apparel sectors through decades of coordinated investment in infrastructure, industrial clustering, and export-driven manufacturing systems.
“These countries have created ecosystems where everything from fabric production to packaging and logistics operates within integrated industrial zones,” she said. “Ghana is still far from that level of coordination.”
Cost Competitiveness Remains a Key Barrier
According to Mrs Bannerman-Abbott, Ghanaian manufacturers face significantly higher production costs compared to their Asian counterparts, largely due to fragmented supply chains and dependence on imported raw materials.
She explained that many local garment producers continue to import fabrics, trims, and accessories, increasing lead times and raising overall production costs. This limits the country’s ability to meet the fast turnaround demands of global fashion brands.
“In Bangladesh, a factory can source nearly everything it needs within the same industrial enclave. In Ghana, inputs often have to be shipped in, adding both time and cost,” she noted.
Energy and Financing Constraints
Energy costs remain a major concern for garment manufacturers. Mrs Bannerman-Abbott pointed out that while Asian manufacturing hubs benefit from relatively stable and sometimes subsidised industrial power, Ghana’s electricity pricing structure adds pressure to production margins.
She emphasised that inconsistent power supply and high tariffs make it difficult for local factories to scale operations competitively.
Access to finance is another critical challenge. She noted that garment production requires substantial capital investment in machinery, compliance systems, and workforce training. However, high commercial lending rates in Ghana discourage long-term investment.
“Without targeted financing schemes or concessionary credit tailored to manufacturing, it will be difficult for the industry to expand meaningfully,” she said.
Skills Gap in Industrial Production
While Ghana has a youthful workforce and expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes, Mrs Bannerman-Abbott stressed that the skills required for industrial garment manufacturing go beyond basic tailoring or fashion design.
She explained that competing globally requires workers trained in high-volume production systems, quality control processes, and strict compliance standards demanded by international buyers.
“In countries like Vietnam, workers are trained specifically for export manufacturing. Ghana must align its skills training with industry needs if it wants to compete,” she added.
Market Access Offers Competitive Edge
Despite these constraints, Mrs Bannerman-Abbott highlighted strategic opportunities that could position Ghana favourably in global apparel trade.
She pointed to preferential access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which allows Ghanaian exports to enter the United States duty-free, as a significant advantage over some Asian competitors.
She also noted the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand regional demand for made-in-Ghana garments, offering a platform for scaling production within Africa.
“These trade frameworks give Ghana a foothold. The challenge is whether we can produce competitively enough to take full advantage of them,” she said.
Need for Industrial Policy Alignment
Mrs Bannerman-Abbott concluded that Ghana’s garment sector can compete globally, but only if critical structural gaps are addressed through coordinated policy action.
She called for investment in textile production, development of industrial parks dedicated to garment manufacturing, improved access to affordable financing, and stronger collaboration between industry and training institutions.
“The opportunity is there, but it requires discipline and long-term commitment. Competing with Asia is possible, but it will not happen without building the right systems,” she said.
As global supply chains continue to evolve, industry stakeholders believe Ghana’s ability to position itself as a competitive apparel manufacturing hub will depend on how quickly it can transition from small-scale production to integrated, export-driven industrialisation.
