Ghana is moving to rebuild its cotton industry as the government seeks to close a critical gap in the country’s textile and garment value chain: the shortage of locally produced raw materials for manufacturers.
The push comes as new apparel manufacturing capacity is emerging in the Northern Region, where Northshore Apparel is scheduled to be commissioned in Savelugu on Friday. The facility, backed by Ghana EXIM Bank and other partners, is expected to create about 3,000 jobs in its first phase and up to 10,000 when fully operational.
The effort follows the government’s push to establish a more organised cotton-production belt, which could provide a domestic source of fibre for textile mills, reduce manufacturers’ reliance on imported inputs and strengthen the link between farming and industrial production.
Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare made the commitment on Thursday during a visit to a more than 20-hectare cotton farm at Zoosale in the Savelugu Municipality. The farm, involving Benti Energies, Recell Ghana Ltd. and SELOC, forms part of the Northern Cotton Revival Initiative, which aims to establish cotton production across multiple districts.
“Increased domestic production of cotton would provide a dependable source of raw materials for textile and garment manufacturers, reduce production costs and help lower the country’s import bill,” Ofosu-Adjare said.
She also emphasised the need to strengthen the connection between agriculture and industry by ensuring that locally produced raw materials are channelled into domestic manufacturing.
The initiative comes as Ghana’s textile industry continues to face weak domestic production and high dependence on imported materials.
A functioning domestic value chain would create demand for ginning, spinning, yarn production, weaving, dyeing and other processing activities, allowing more value from cotton to remain within Ghana before garments reach local or export markets.
The government is also working with public institutions and the private sector to source uniforms and apparel locally, while also supporting businesses to access markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Northshore Apparel’s expansion adds to that strategy. The company has already obtained international Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certification covering its production operations, strengthening its position to serve export markets.
But reviving cotton at commercial scale will require more than expanding acreage. Ghana’s earlier cotton industry was undermined by weaknesses including farmer organisation, access to inputs, improved seed varieties and production technology.
The Northern Cotton Revival Initiative now needs to move beyond the pilot stage and establish a reliable supply chain capable of meeting the volume, quality and consistency requirements of industrial textile producers.
