The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has renewed calls for a bold and deliberate local procurement policy to reposition Ghana’s textile and garment industry as a key pillar of economic transformation.
He emphasised that prioritising locally manufactured textiles, garments and apparel could significantly boost job creation, strengthen domestic production and reinforce Ghana’s cultural identity.
Speaking at a National Dialogue on Local Procurement Policy on Apparel, Garment and Textiles in Kumasi, the Asantehene noted that Ghana already possessed the creative talent, skilled workforce and rich cultural heritage needed to build a globally competitive textile industry.
The speech, delivered on his behalf by Nana Addae Gyamera I, Feyiasehene, highlighted concerns over Ghana’s continued reliance on imported clothing despite having the capacity to produce such goods locally.
According to him, sustained importation of textiles and garments undermines local industry growth and weakens the country’s industrialisation agenda.
“A country cannot achieve meaningful industrial progress while neglecting sectors capable of employing its people, preserving its heritage and driving domestic production,” the statement said.
The dialogue, organised by the Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers (AGAM), sought to accelerate the adoption of a “Buy Ghana” policy aimed at reducing import dependency and expanding local manufacturing capacity.
Otumfuo described Kumasi as a cultural and economic hub where tradition and commerce intersect, stressing that culture in Asanteman is not only symbolic but also a strategic economic resource.
He explained that Ghana’s textile industry goes beyond fabric production, representing identity, values, prestige and national pride.
“For decades, Ghana has stood out as a centre of textile excellence and artistic innovation,” he noted.
Touching on the sector’s economic potential, the Asantehene said the textile and apparel value chain could absorb thousands of skilled and semi-skilled workers, particularly the youth, while also creating opportunities for women and entrepreneurs.
He pointed out that the industry supports a wide ecosystem, including cotton farmers, weavers, designers, tailors, printers, factory workers, retailers and exporters.
“Even a single garment factory can create hundreds, if not thousands, of direct and indirect jobs,” he added.
The Asantehene stressed that no country had achieved sustainable industrial transformation by depending heavily on imports for goods it could produce domestically.
He therefore urged policymakers to move beyond discussions and implement practical measures that prioritise local manufacturers.
He cited existing frameworks such as the Public Procurement Act and the Ghana Industrial Transformation Agenda as effective tools that could drive local industry growth if properly enforced.
Otumfuo also underscored the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that Ghanaian textile and garment producers could access wider markets across Africa if they met international standards.
However, he raised concerns about the growing preference for foreign-made goods over locally produced items, describing it as a mindset challenge that required urgent attention.
“We must stop treating locally manufactured goods as second options and instead recognise them as symbols of national excellence and economic patriotism,” he said.
To support the growth of the industry, the Asantehene called for stricter enforcement against counterfeit imports and unfair trade practices that undermine local businesses.
He also highlighted the need for increased access to affordable financing, technology transfer, skills development and improved industrial infrastructure.
Additionally, he urged the media and advocacy groups to actively promote the “Buy Ghana” campaign and help change public perception about locally made products.
Otumfuo reaffirmed his commitment to initiatives that leverage Ghana’s cultural heritage as a driver of industrialisation, stressing that culture, when properly harnessed, could become a powerful engine for economic growth and national prosperity.
