By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Government of Ghana has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the country’s textile and garment sector into a US$2 billion industry by 2033, with over US$1.2 billion in targeted investments and the creation of about 150,000 jobs.
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry disclosed the initiative at a validation workshop in Accra for the draft Textiles and Garment Manufacturing Policy. The strategy aims to revitalise the industry, expand manufacturing capacity, and restore large-scale cotton farming across 50,000 hectares of farmland nationwide.
Deputy Minister Samson Ahi reaffirmed the government’s commitment, describing the policy as a “shared roadmap” for sectoral growth.
“We aim to scale the industry to a value of over US$2 billion, attract US$1.2 billion in new investments, create 150,000 jobs, and ensure quality cotton production across 50,000 hectares of farmland,” Mr Ahi said. “These objectives are ambitious but achievable through collective effort.”
Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, urged stakeholders to ensure fair recruitment practices and prioritise inclusive employment, particularly for women and youth. He cautioned against politically motivated hiring that could undermine productivity.
“Hire people based on competence and capacity to drive change,” Dr Pelpuo said. “Our focus should be on building a future for young people. At the time we took over, nearly 15% of youth were unemployed. We need a mindset reset a reset of the economy.”
Once finalised, the policy will serve as a strategic blueprint to promote sustainable growth, attract investment, and boost Ghana’s competitiveness in the global textile and garment industry.
