Deputy Trade Minister calls for collaboration in textile, garment trade

A two-day conference to foster collaboration among government, private-sector stakeholders, and trade institutions to identify workable solutions in the textile and garment industry has commenced in Sogakope in the Volta Region.

The conference, organised by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, in collaboration with TradeMark Africa (TMA), is focusing on enhancing participation in an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Scheme, which offers faster clearance and reduced inspections, and improves alignment of digital systems such as ICUMS with the operational realities in the sector.

The event, which started yesterday, is dubbed “Public–Private Dialogue on Trade Facilitation in Ghana’s Textiles and Garments Industry.”

Participants include government agencies, garment manufacturers and other stakeholders who will discuss actions to take in addressing the challenges facing trade facilitation for industries.

Commitment

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the textile and garment sector as a key pillar of industrialisation and export diversification.

He highlighted the industry’s significant potential for job creation, particularly for women and youth, including its role in boosting value addition and global competitiveness.

Mr Ahi, however, acknowledged persistent challenges affecting industry players, including customs and clearance delays, compliance burdens, logistics bottlenecks, and underutilisation of trade facilitation schemes.

"The textiles and garments industry holds immense potential for job creation, especially for women and youth, while driving value addition and positioning the country more competitively within regional and global value chains," he said.

Mr Ahi said that the engagement was part of an ongoing reform process, with outcomes expected to inform policy decisions, strengthen institutional coordination, and drive targeted improvements in the trade environment.

"This dialogue is not intended to be a one-off exercise. It is part of a continuous process of engagement between the government, industry and our partners.

"The recommendations that emerge will inform future policy actions, strengthen institutional coordination, and guide targeted reforms to improve the trade environment for the garments sector and industry at large," he added. 

Intervention

The Director for West Africa and AfCFTA at TradeMark Africa, Harriet Gayi, said her outfit would support the garment industry through practical trade facilitation reforms, aimed at improving competitiveness and driving inclusive growth.

She outlined TradeMark Africa’s mandate as a not-for-profit Aid-for-Trade organisation established in 2010 to increase intra-African trade, enhance Africa’s global trade share, and ensure trade contributes to poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.

"TradeMark Africa remains committed to supporting governments and the private sector to reduce trade barriers, strengthen competitiveness, and ensure that trade drives inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent," Ms Gayi said.

She acknowledged that the government textile and garment manufacturing policy was a strong framework for rebuilding the industry through integrated value chains, export diversification, and job creation in line with the country’s broader industrialisation agenda.

The director, however, said there were some operational bottlenecks which continued to undermine progress.