Government has assured local manufacturers in the apparel sector of providing the enabling environment to help them attain their vision of becoming the preferred apparel manufacturing hub in Africa for major global brands.

Speaking at the launch of the Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers (AGAM) in Accra, the Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, indicated that garment and textiles fall under government’s strategic growth poles and is ready to assist AGAM with market access in order to make them competitive on the international market.

“Garment and Textile is a high volume but low margin industry. The desirability of your products and services by the buyers shall be determined by how efficiently you operate your businesses.

The quality of your products and timeliness of your delivery also influence your profitability and sustenance,” he said.

AGAM is a business network and advocacy organisation with membership exclusively to apparel manufacturers whose chief mission is to promote apparel business interests in the country.

It is also the nation’s largest, apparel-based business advocacy organisation, whose members employ over 3,000 workers and export over US$12million worth of products annually in Ghana.

The CEO of Nallem Clothing, Gregory Kankoh, who delivered a message on behalf of AGAM, stated that the goal of the group is to sustain and develop a thriving industry as well as doubling up their labour force.

“We have a clear target of upscaling our employee figure from 3,000 to 20,000 within the next four years. The agenda is to partner government and leverage on the prospects the industry deserves,” he said.

He also outlined a number of challenges hampering local garment industries ranging from lack of adequate space, lack of responsive financing schemes, and market access.

USAID financial and sector institutions have pledged to support AGAM in various ways to enable it grow.

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) presented a GH¢30,000 cheque to AGAM to aid its operations.

GEPA also announced that it will invite six expatriates to come and build the capacity of members of AGAM.

The Ghana Exim Bank has also pledged to assist AGAM with US$10m beginning next year.

Government is reportedly in the process of finalising Ghana’s new Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) export strategy and action plan to boost the volumes of exports to the United States to $500 million by 2020.