The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has convened a high-level meeting with key state institutions to explore strategies for the local production of uniforms, in a bid to promote the government’s “Made-in-Ghana” agenda.
The initiative seeks to leverage public procurement as a tool to stimulate the growth of Ghana’s textile and garment industry, reduce import dependency, and support economic self-reliance.
Speaking during the meeting, the Trade Minister emphasized the importance of aligning procurement policies with national development goals, noting that prioritizing locally produced uniforms will not only ensure reliable market access for local manufacturers but also drive job creation and industrial growth.
She indicated that sourcing uniforms locally will decrease Ghana’s reliance on importing finished goods, thereby reducing the demand for foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar. This reduction in import dependency would help in mitigating trade deficit, which is a significant factor contributing to the depreciation of the cedi for decades.
The Minister further noted that this policy direction is integral to the government’s broader industrial transformation strategy, aiming to build a resilient economy through domestic production and value addition.
Also present at the engagement was Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, who underscored the alignment between the Ministry of Education’s operational priorities and the local sourcing of school uniforms.
He said that engaging domestic textile producers supports job creation, enhances industrial development, and reinforces the government’s education and economic strategies.
The Minster for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry is expected to meet with key stakeholders in the textiles and garments industry to refine the forthcoming policy framework that will guide the implementation of this initiative.
The government’s renewed focus on supporting local industries through strategic procurement and targeted investment is expected to play a critical role in reversing Ghana’s trade imbalance and driving sustainable economic growth.
