Ghana's garment sector is currently valued at approximately US$400 million, with the Government of Ghana targeting growth to over US$2 billion and the creation of 150,000 jobs by 2033, alongside expanded cotton production across 50,000 hectares of farmland (Government of Ghana, 2026 Budget). However, more than 70 per cent of textiles and garments consumed in the country are imported annually, limiting how far sector growth translates into jobs, incomes, and value added for local producers.
Against this backdrop, the Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers (AGAM) is intensifying efforts to influence public policy and promote increased government procurement of locally produced garments. As the representative body for garment manufacturers in Ghana, AGAM has been engaging key ministries responsible for policy formulation and for large-scale procurement of uniforms and apparel for public institutions.
To strengthen these efforts, the ILO is providing technical assistance to AGAM to enhance its advocacy capacity and effectiveness. With ILO support, AGAM has established an Advocacy Implementation Committee to lead the planning and execution of the campaign and has developed a Position Paper that clearly articulates the sector's challenges, proposed policy solutions, and expected economic and employment outcomes. In addition, AGAM benefited from a capacity-building programme on Effective Strategies for Advocacy, held on 29 October 2025 at the Miklin Hotel in Accra.
Speaking on behalf of Dr Vanessa Phala, Director of the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Mr David Marcos, Project Manager of the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work programme, shared insights from a study tour to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS). He highlighted how VITAS has successfully organised its membership, engaged government, and strengthened domestic value chains to build a competitive and resilient textile and garment industry.
This support will strengthen AGAM's structures and operations and position us as a credible and influential voice in shaping policies and programmes that affect the garment industry and Ghana's broader economic development.
Ms. Audrey Nana Pocquah - AGAM National Coordinator
The Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work is a global, multi-country ILO programme launched in 2021 and implemented in Ghana, South Africa, and Vietnam. Funded by the governments of Switzerland and Norway, the programme promotes productivity growth for decent work by strengthening productivity drivers at policy, sectoral, and enterprise levels.
