Ghana has become the first country in West Africa to host the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) Social Audit System Training, a development that elevates the country’s standing in ethical and sustainable manufacturing.
The initiative, jointly organised by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and GIZ, convened key institutions from across the industrial ecosystem, including the Ghana Standards Authority, Accra Technical University, Dignity DTRT Garments, the Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers, SGS, Bureau Veritas and the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI).
Over the course of one week, participants received advanced training in social auditing, responsible production practices and compliance frameworks that anchor global supply chains. The programme is expected to produce the first cohort of WRAP-certified social auditors in West Africa, giving Ghana a strategic edge in ethical assurance and export competitiveness.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister, Chief Director of the Ministry Noah Tumfo described the programme as a “historic milestone” that signals Ghana’s transition from a standards-taker to a standards-shaper. He said the initiative embeds a culture of responsible manufacturing and strengthens Ghana’s credibility with international buyers seeking verified ethical compliance.
John Duti, Team Lead for GIZ Ghana’s Invest for Jobs, told participants that the WRAP initiative is not merely a certification exercise but a structural intervention designed to reshape workplace culture, improve labour conditions and unlock access to international markets under principles of decent work.
By anchoring compliance, transparency and accountability in its industrial base, Ghana is positioning its garment and textile sector to compete on quality and ethics, not just cost, while signaling readiness to attract responsible investment and integrate more deeply into global value chains.
