The Vice-Dean, Faculty of Art of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Ebenezer Kofi Howard, has underscored the need for Ghana to develop a sustainable raw-material base for textile and apparel production.
“The sustenance of textiles and apparel production depends largely on the availability and quality of raw materials,” he said.
He said it was, therefore, economically prudent for Ghana to develop a sustainable raw material base for both natural and synthetic fibres to support the growth and development of the textile and apparel sector.
Inaugural lecture
Prof. Howard made the remarks while delivering his professorial inaugural lecture at the Great Hall, KNUST on June 25, 2026.
It was on the theme: “Beyond clothing the nudity of humanity: How sustainable textiles and apparel industry can rescue Ghana from its socio-economic and environmental quagmire.
A 2022 report by the Ghana Statistical Service indicated that Ghana imports over 70 per cent of its textiles and garments, primarily from China and other Asian countries and exports less than 10 per cent.
Consequently, the textile industry has experienced a drastic decline, with an annual output capacity of less than 10 million yards and fewer than 2,000 employees across the four surviving large-scale firms.
Further, he called for the restructuring of the National Cotton Development Authority (NCDA) with a clear mandate to regulate, coordinate and promote the cotton sector to sustain growth.
“We must leverage our petrochemical resources for the production of commercially viable synthetic fibres. Establishment of an “Industrial Dyes Park” for the manufacture of textile dyes and auxiliaries will be a game-changer to reduce the over-reliance on expensive imported dyes and auxiliaries,” he added.
Drive 24-Hour Economy Policy
He recommended the garment sector as a pragmatic driver towards the realisation of the government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy, saying “I am optimistic that implementation of a policy framework proposed to establish textile and apparel firms in all 16 regions will be a game-changer”.
This, he added, was based on the justification that the industry has been tried and tested by major economies, including Ghana in the 1960s, and has proven to be the most feasible driver for the shift system, which employs three cohorts of workers, thereby creating more employment and increasing productivity for economic growth.
Policy
He said Ghana’s garment industry operated without policy direction in the past, but in 2025 the government developed a Textiles and Garment Manufacturing Policy, which is currently under review for implementation.
However, he said their expert review of the policy document revealed a heavy reliance on cotton and on expatriate expertise, and added that a revision of the policy to capture broad-based raw material exploration and to involve Ghanaian experts and institutions in key roles was necessary.
“For the policy to enhance the economic outlook of Ghana with impactful gains, its implementation must be done without a political lens, but strictly based on the principles of meritocracy, pragmatism and honesty,” he indicated.
Take lessons
Professor Howard mentioned that Ghana can also learn from benchmarked countries that have capitalised on the textile and apparel sector as an engine for economic growth and job creation.
“If countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have successfully capitalised on the garment sector to transform their economies and create jobs to improve the livelihood of their citizens, then I am optimistic that Ghana can do better with good leadership and favourable policies”, he said.
Commendation
The Vice-Chancellor, KNUST, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, who chaired the lecture, commended Professor Howard for his contributions to the growth of the textile and apparel sector.
Further, she entreated the government, academia and industry to collaborate effectively to enable the country to reap the full benefits of the sector towards the growth of the Ghanaian economy.
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