Ghana targets $1.2bn investment and 150,000 jobs under new textile policy

Ghana is targeting about $1.2 billion in investment and 150,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade under a new textile and garment policy approved by Cabinet. The policy, which is expected to be formally launched by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, also seeks to expand the country's textile and garment industry from an estimated $400 million to about $2 billion. It further aims to revive domestic cotton production across 50,000 hectares as part of efforts to strengthen local raw material supply and support the growth of the industry. The targets were announced by the Trade Ministry’s Director of Research, George Amoah, at the launch of the second phase of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work programme. Mr Amoah described the textile and garment industry as a significant source of employment, with the potential to create decent jobs and help address unemployment.