Manhyia has offered to partner the Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers to push for local procurement of locally produced garments, apparel and textiles.
The Office of Otumfour Osei Tutu II stands ready to host the association’s unit at the Manyhia palace to promote made in Ghana garments.
Feyiasehene, a member of the committee on culture at the Otumfour foundation made this known at a Kumasi dialogue on local procurement of Ghanaian garments and textiles.
‘’I took the time to read a little bit about AGAM and I think you are the institution we need at Manyhia Palace to push the Ghana agenda because of the advocacy.
Despite this rich culture we have in Ghana, Ghana continues to spend enormous sums of money importing textiles, garments, uniforms, apparel that our own people possess the skill, creativity, capacity to produce.’’
Nana Addae Gyamera, who represented the Asantehene, made a strong case for government to give attention to the local textile and garment industry since the products are also serve as symbols of national identity, philosophy, and heritage.
The National Dialogue on local procurement for apparel, garment and textiles was organized by the Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers, AGAM, and is part of an advocacy by local textile and garment producers targeted at pushing government to source locally produced apparel garment and textile.
The National Coordinator of AGAM, Nana Poqua Adiama, noted that, the Association, with membership of medium and large-scale manufacturers of garment and textile, does not only have the capacity to create sustainable jobsbut has what it takes to meet Ghana’s garment and apparel demand.
‘And as of now, that is last two years we were able to exportonly to the US, $45 million from apparel that is produced in Ghana and that has improved to almost 50 to 60 the last year.
There must be something good that Ghanaian factories are doing.
A National Project Officer, Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work, ILO, Mr. Samuel Onoma Asiedu, said the organization is supporting some private industry players to improve productivity and access the global market.
Data show that, currently, Ghana imports about 200 million Dollars worth of garment and textiles annually denying the country the needed revenue and jobs.
The Kumasi Dialogue follows a similar one in Accra.
The Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers aiming to extent this national campaign across the country.
