The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU) is calling on the government to implement a 24-hour economy policy for Ghana’s struggling textile sector, arguing that such a move would increase productivity and create jobs for thousands of Ghanaians.
Speaking at the ICU’s Tema Regional Conference, General Secretary Morgan Ayawine emphasized that the revival of the industry requires a strong focus on human labour in addition to machinery.
He recalled a time when textile factories employed hundreds of workers, driving both economic activity and community development.
Ayawine singled out major state-owned textile companies such as Tex Styles Ghana Limited, Akosombo Industrial Company Limited, and Volta Star Textile Limited, which he said are currently grappling with financial constraints and operational difficulties.
He urged the government to increase support to these institutions as part of broader efforts to industrialize the economy.
“The textile industry is labour-intensive and can create massive employment if given the needed attention and resources,” he said.
The ICU also called for stricter enforcement of existing laws to protect the local industry from cheap, counterfeit imports that continue to flood the market.
“These fake textiles, often smuggled in, undercut locally made products and threaten the survival of Ghanaian businesses”, he added.
In addition, the union appealed to the government to sustain the Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption currently granted to the textile industry, noting that removing it would increase the cost of production and worsen the challenges faced by manufacturers.
Mr. Ayawine said the time is up for bold policy action. “If Ghana is serious about reindustrialization and job creation, then the textile sector must be prioritized through deliberate and sustained interventions,” he said.
The ICU’s call aligns with growing national discussions about adopting a 24-hour economy model as a strategy to expand economic output, reduce unemployment, and ensure efficient utilization of state assets.
