Govt targets garments, agro-processing for jobs in 2026 —Trade Minister
The government is set to revamp the country’s struggling garments, textiles and agro-processing industries to reposition them as major engines of industrialisation, job creation and export growth, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said.
With a new drafted policy on garments and textiles, the minister explained that the government would provide a ready market for domestic factories, helping to restore production capacity and strengthen the sector’s contribution to the economy.
“In 2026, this government is high on garments and textiles. We want to make sure that even as we plan to establish three new garment plants in Ghana, existing factories like this are supported to operate at full capacity,” the minister said during a factory tour in Tema on Wednesday, December 17.
The minister visited GB Foods Ghana Limited and Precious Textiles, a garment manufacturing firm in Tema as part of efforts to assess the operational capacity of local industries and identify areas for targeted government support.
Emphasis on garment
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare stated that the government was placing renewed emphasis on the garments and textiles industries.
She said Precious Textiles was currently operating at about 30 per cent capacity, despite having modern machinery and skilled leadership, largely due to limited access to markets.
“What they need is markets. If they get contracts, you will see many of these idle machines working and more people employed. We must stop outsourcing when our local factories are struggling,” she said.
She stressed that the government would prioritise local garment manufacturers for supply contracts, particularly for security services and other state institutions.
She said that with the right support, factories such as Precious Textiles could be repositioned to produce for international brands and compete globally.
GB Foods factory
On GB Foods factory in Tema, the minister expressed satisfaction with the company’s world-class production standards, strong safety record and commitment to sustainability.
“The standards here are top-notch. From the laboratories to the processes the tomatoes go through before they reach the market, you can see the effort that goes into ensuring quality,” she said.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare explained that GB Foods’ move into commercial farming and backward integration as a major milestone for Ghana’s industrial agenda.
“They are entering into commercial farming — producing their own tomatoes, ginger, pepper and other raw materials locally. This is how we capture the full value chain, create jobs for farmers, transporters and processors, and truly industrialise,” she said.
She said the company’s goal of sourcing 90 to 100 per cent of its raw materials locally aligns perfectly with government policy, while its growing exports to countries such as Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire were helping to earn much-needed foreign exchange.
“Ghana must be the hub of industrialisation. With our stable democracy and the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, this is the right place to manufacture and export across West Africa and the continent, especially under the AfCFTA,” the minister added.
Operations
For his part, the Factory Director at GB Foods, Philip Wellington explained that GB Foods operates in Europe, the Americas and several African countries, with its Tema factory positioned as a regional hub of tomato-based products and cooking ingredients.
“The facility, which sits on 31,000 square metres, employs about 650 staff, with women making up 36 per cent of the workforce, a notable achievement in manufacturing.”
“The factory produces over 34 different products under brands such as Gino, Pomo and Didi Shito, serving both the domestic and export markets,” he said.
Mr Wellington said the company has invested heavy on solar energy, water treatment, energy-efficient lighting and safety systems.
He added that the factory has operated for over 912 days without an accident and currently meets all international and local certifications.