Kumasi: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has called for a deliberate national commitment to local procurement and industrial transformation to reposition Ghana's textile, garment, and apparel industry as a major driver of economic growth, job creation, and national identity. The Asantehene emphasized that Ghana has the necessary creativity, skills, and cultural heritage to build a globally competitive textile industry that can reduce unemployment, strengthen local manufacturing, and expand exports.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Asantehene highlighted that despite Ghana's rich textile traditions and strong artisanal base, the country continues to spend significant sums on importing textiles, garments, and apparel that could be produced locally. He stated that a nation cannot aspire to industrial greatness while neglecting industries with the potential to employ its people, preserve its heritage, and stimulate domestic production.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's remarks were delivered in a speech read on his behalf by Nana Addae Gyamera I, Feyiasehene, at a National Dialogue on Local Procurement Policy on Apparel, Garment, and Textiles held in Kumasi. The dialogue, organized by the Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers (AGAM), aimed to accelerate the adoption of a 'Buy Ghana' policy to create jobs, increase local manufacturing capacity, and reduce dependence on imports.
The Asantehene described Kumasi as a stronghold of Ghana's culture and heritage, emphasizing that culture in Asanteman is not merely ceremonial but an essential part of everyday life and a strategic economic asset. He noted that Ghana's textile industry represents more than fabric production; it embodies identity, philosophy, prestige, and national pride.
Touching on the economic importance of the sector, Otumfuo stated that the textile and apparel value chain has the potential to absorb thousands of skilled and semi-skilled youth, empower women, and support entrepreneurship. He indicated that the industry creates opportunities for cotton farmers, weavers, designers, tailors, printers, factory workers, retailers, and exporters, with a single garment factory capable of generating hundreds, sometimes thousands, of direct and indirect jobs.
The Asantehene urged policymakers and stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and intentionally implement policies that prioritize local manufacturers and support industrial growth. He cited the Public Procurement Act and the Ghana Industrial Transformation Agenda as important frameworks that could promote local participation and industrial expansion if properly enforced.
Otumfuo also highlighted the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that Ghanaian businesses, including small-scale garment producers, could access larger continental and global markets if they meet the required standards and quality expectations. However, he expressed concern about the growing preference for imported products over locally manufactured goods, describing it as a mindset challenge needing urgent change.
He called for stronger enforcement against counterfeit imports and unfair trade practices, increased access to affordable financing, technology transfer, skills development, and investments in industrial infrastructure to support the sector's growth. Additionally, he encouraged journalists and advocacy institutions to champion the 'Buy Ghana' agenda and promote locally manufactured products.
Otumfuo reaffirmed his commitment to initiatives that promote culture-driven industrialization and sustainable economic transformation, asserting that Ghana's cultural identity could become a powerful tool for economic prosperity if properly harnessed.