Ghana is seeking to strengthen its textile, leather and fashion industries by adopting harmonized African sustainability standards, as the government looks to improve the sectors’ competitiveness and expand access to international markets.
The initiative, being implemented under the EcoMark Africa Initiative, is intended to help Ghanaian businesses meet increasingly stringent environmental, social and quality requirements in global markets.
Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Sampson Ahi said at the opening of a two-day awareness workshop that credible sustainability standards could improve market confidence, attract investment and support export growth.
“Modern markets increasingly value products that meet environmental, social and quality standards,” Ahi said on behalf of the sector minister.
The government views compliance with such standards as a key part of its strategy to reposition Ghana’s textile and garment industry, which has faced challenges including weak domestic production capacity and limited integration across the value chain.
Ahi said the government also wants to create jobs, revive cotton production and establish Ghana as a West African hub for ethical and sustainable apparel manufacturing.
Harmonized standards could help businesses reduce compliance barriers while improving the credibility of locally produced textiles, leather goods and fashion products.
For Ghana, strengthening sustainability practices could also support efforts to move the industry beyond raw-material production and toward higher-value manufacturing and exports.
The EcoMark Africa initiative is therefore expected to provide a framework for businesses to align production with environmental and social requirements while positioning local manufacturers to compete more effectively in international markets.
