As part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, the Ghana Export-Import Bank convened a panel to discuss opportunities and challenges in Ghana’s garment and apparel industry, focusing on employment creation, industrial development, and export growth.
The session featured Nurideen Mohammed, Managing Director of Northshore Apparel Ghana Ltd; Munish Gupta, Cluster Director at ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms; and Kafui Linda Abbah-Foli, Head of Technical Delivery and Design at the 24-Hour Economy Authority.
Panelists highlighted that Ghana’s apparel sector faces constraints such as “infrastructure deficits,” “high energy costs,” and “skills gaps,” which limit competitiveness in global markets.
Manufacturers stressed that operational efficiency, workforce training, and compliance with international standards are critical for export readiness. Northshore Apparel reported that despite receiving thousands of job applications, very few candidates met efficiency benchmarks, underscoring the need for structured training and capacity building.
Panelists argued that improving the sector requires not only financial investment but also enhanced technical support and advisory services.
Government representatives noted that the 24-Hour Economy programme aims to address these challenges through initiatives such as developing industrial parks at key places, leveraging solar power to reduce energy costs, and integrating youth employment schemes into workforce training. Policy measures also include incentivising shifts, supporting backward integration in fabric production, and stimulating domestic demand for uniforms and other apparel.
Experts also pointed to regional and international export opportunities. While acknowledging uncertainties around AGOA, panelists emphasized access to African, European, and Canadian markets under trade agreements and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). They highlighted that scaling the sector will require demonstrating “operational capacity,” “scalability,” and adherence to quality standards to attract buyers.
The discussion emphasized that Ghana’s garment sector has strong growth potential, but achieving export competitiveness and job creation depends on coordinated efforts across government, private sector, and development finance institutions, supported by investment in infrastructure, workforce skills, and value chain integration.
