Ghanaians urged to patronise locally-made textiles for industry growth, job creation

Mr Michael Asare Yeboah, the Managing Director of Mackenzie Ghana Limited (MGL), a Sunyani-based local garment manufacturing company, has urged Ghanaians to patronise local textiles to boost industry growth for job creation and economic development.
He said besides quality, the public ought to support the growth of the textile industry, saying that the sector could absorb more people and thereby contribute to addressing the unemployment situation in the country.
Mr Yeboah who gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) about his perspectives of the local garment industry, noted that Ghana ought to learn a cue from neighboring Cote d’Ivoire which had banned importation of second-hand clothing to promote industry growth.
“If we can emulate that example, the garment sector can create job opportunities for the youth and thereby stimulate economic growth,” he stated.
Mr Yeboah noted that: “A significant percentage of shops in Cote d’ Ivoire are involved in the manufacturing of local dresses, employing many people and keeping their currencies circulating within the local economy”.
He said that: “When we support local production, money stays in the country, and people get work to do”.
He expressed worry that the local industries struggled to compete with “cheap imports” saying that was leading to job losses and factory closures. Mr Yeboah urged the public to give contracts to local garment industries for job creation as well as to spur economic growth and development.
“By supporting local industries, Ghanaians can help revive the sector and create more employment opportunities for the youth”, he stated, saying that the industry had been a significant contributor to the nation’s economic growth and development.
Nonetheless, Mr Yeboah regretted that local industries were confronted with a myriad of challenges including poor sales, competition with imported clothing, and limited access to raw materials and government support.
He called on the government to support the local industries to thrive and contribute significantly to job creation and economic growth.