Mrs Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, Namibian High Commissioner to Ghana, has called for stronger collaboration between Namibian industrial bodies and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to promote industrial growth and intra-African trade.
She said Namibia had a strategic interest in partnering Ghana, particularly in the textile industry, where Ghana had developed considerable capacity while Namibia continued to rely heavily on imports.
Mrs Nghituwamata said Namibia was interested in sourcing both raw and finished textile materials from African countries, identifying Ghana as a potential strategic partner.
The High Commissioner made the call when she visited the AGI office in Ho as part of her tour of the Volta Region.
She said the visit was aimed at gaining a better understanding of the AGI’s operations, its constituent sectors and Ghana’s exportable goods and expertise to identify areas for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Mrs Nghituwamata said stronger collaboration between the AGI and Namibian industrial institutions would provide opportunities for knowledge and skills sharing, technology transfer and increased trade between the two countries.
She said Africa’s persistent challenge of limited value addition, particularly in manufacturing and agribusiness, remained a concern that required collective action.
The diplomat noted that several African countries produced similar primary commodities but lacked adequate processing capacity, making stronger intra-African cooperation necessary to promote industrialisation and shared economic growth.
Mr Dela Gbeve, Chairman of the AGI for the Volta, Eastern and Oti Regions, welcomed the visit and described it as an important step towards strengthening economic and industrial relations between Ghana and Namibia.
He said the AGI is ready to partner with Namibia to accelerate industrial development and create employment opportunities for citizens of both countries.
Mr Gbeve said the AGI is actively collaborating with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to support the implementation of the continental trade agenda.
He said as the leading voice for Ghanaian industry, the AGI continued to engage governments and policymakers on issues affecting businesses while supporting entrepreneurs to build the capacity needed to compete in international markets.
Mr Gbeve also acknowledged the contribution of his predecessor, Mr Dela Gadzanku, who currently serves as Vice President of the AGI responsible for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector.
He said the region continued to draw on Mr Gadzanku’s experience and expertise to support efforts aimed at accelerating economic and industrial development.
