Agoa.info - African Growth and Opportunity Act
TRALAC - Trade Law Centre
You are here: Home/News/Article/Ghana Apparel Training Centre launched to develop garment industry

Ghana Apparel Training Centre launched to develop garment industry

Ghana Apparel Training Centre launched to develop garment industry

US-Ghana trade by sector

Data by sector, in $ '000

Published date:
Friday, 27 November 2020
Author:
Nicholas Brown

In efforts to support Ghana’s garment manufacturing industry, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, together with its partners – Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA), Gerber, Groz Beckert, Freudenberg and Accra Technical Training College (ATTC), have officially launched the Ghana Apparel Training & Service Centre, in Accra.

The launch forms part of a public-private partnership between the German Federal Government and Ghana’s private sector.

With funding from the German Federal government, this initiative falls under the GIZ implemented develoPPP.de programme.

The key objective is to strengthen export-oriented small and medium-sized apparel manufactures to create socially responsible jobs.

The GIZ develoPPP.de programme will work in close cooperation with the ATTC, to support skills gaps by providing appropriate training and services to current and future potential factory employees.

In his remarks, the Team Lead for develoPPP.de programme, Christian Wollnik said “the aim is to train 500 individuals in various subjects by mid-2022 and to provide further technical services to small and medium-sized clothing manufacturers.

Ultimately, this should stimulate growth in the whole industry and contribute to the creation of 1200 new jobs in garment factories.”

Mr. Wollnik added “this project is however much more than just training a certain number of people. Together with the College, we will create sustainable structures at the Training Centre that help to tap the enormous potential of the Ghanaian garment industry in the upcoming years.”

The co-founder of Ethical Apparel Africa, Keren Pybus in his address said “the demand for clothing made in Ghana is definitely growing for various reasons such as AGOA, fast shipping times to the US and Europe and competitive costings. However, we need to grow the export compliant capacity and skills level to meet the needs of international brands and retailers.

Not only in terms of lead time, price, and quality, but also in terms of sustainability.”

The centre offers training and services in different areas of expertise like manual and digital pattern making, sewing machine mechanics, industrial engineering, and social compliance.

About GIZ

As a provider of international cooperation services for sustainable development and international education work, GIZ is dedicated to building a future worth living around the world.

GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and peace and security.

Read related news articles

'Nigeria missing as Kenya, Ghana tap AGOA opportunities to boost foreign exchange earnings'

Africa’s biggest economy is still failing to tap the opportunities that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) present to boost its foreign exchange, amid acute dollar shortages. The AGOA has been on for over twenty-three years as it was enacted in 2020. In 2015, the program was modernised and extended to 2025, implying that there are only about 15 months before the window closes. Some countries have taken advantage of the AGOA more...

05 February 2024

AGOA extension crucial for Ghana’s industrialisation

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei is supporting the push for the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to enhance trade between Ghana and the US. A United States Trade Act enacted on 18 May 2000 as Public Law 106 of the 200th Congress, the AGOA legislation has been renewed on different occasions, most recently in 2015, when its period of validity was extended to September 2025. The...

06 November 2023

We want more Ghanaian exports in US market – trade minister

Mr. Kobina Tahir Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, says Ghana desires to increase its exports to the United States (US) market, arguably the most lucrative consumer market globally. He indicated that the Government had stepped up support for the private sector, both domestic and foreign, to enhance production and export capacity, particularly in the manufacturing sector, with notable opportunities for export into the U.S. market. The...

11 August 2023

AGOA boosts Kenya's textile exports to US, sector sees 7.2% growth

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has benefitted Kenya’s textile and apparel sector, leading to monthly exports to the tune of Sh4.5 billion, or Sh150 million per day, last year, according to a study by London-based Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). The programme has had a positive impact on the country’s export-processing zones (EPZs), especially in the textile and garment sector. Kenya is the second-largest exporter of...

08 August 2023

US fashion brands urge early renewal of AGOA

US fashion companies are calling for the early renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade program that allows thousands of African products to enter the United States duty-free. They argue that a longer-term arrangement would not only benefit African economies but also boost investment in the region. The AGOA was first enacted in 2000 and is currently set to expire in 2025. However, US officials have indicated that the...

31 July 2023

US boosts Kenya apparel industry with $55m in new trade deals

The US is giving Kenya $55 million for expansion of export processing zones in a move that will boost Nairobi’s apparel exports. US initiative Prosper Africa and the US Embassy announced the funding at the launch of the US-Kenya Business Roadshow held on April 25 in New York. The announcement was part of the commitments made by President Joe Biden at the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit last year. The funds will be channelled under USAid and...

29 April 2023

Ghana trade minister calls for strategic US investment in African agribusinesses

The Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen, has advocated for intensive investment in the agricultural sector as part of major plans to economically empower the African continent. The Minister made this pronouncement during the recent summit of US- African leaders in Washington DC. The US-Africa Leaders’ Summit was anchored on the shared values of fostering new economic engagement; reinforcing the US-Africa commitment to democracy...

20 December 2022

Nigeria: Garment factory to create 2,000 direct jobs, utilize AGOA

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the weekend, said the state’s garment factory will be inaugurated this year with a take off capacity to hire 2,000 direct labour. Speaking with dozens of APC youths, progressive social media influencers, and some online news publishers on Saturday, the governor said the idea is to make Kwara a hub for garment production, which can then benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act...

26 August 2022

AAFA: Africa ‘logical’ choice for brands fleeing China

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) urged the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), as U.S. brands and retailers look to diversify sourcing. While the trade agreement’s expiration is still three years away, the Washington, D.C.-based trade group believes that establishing long-term, forward-looking policy will help brands commit to new sourcing...

29 June 2022

Kenyan textile company eyes export market through new Zanzibar facility

A Kenyan company is setting up a $51.3 million (about Sh115 billion) factory in Zanzibar as it targets to get a pie of the world’s $920 billion textile market. The global textile industry was estimated at around $920 billion in 2018, and it was projected to reach approximately $1,230 billion by 2024, available global data show. With its $51.3 million factory at Chunguni area in Zanzibar, Basra Textiles Limited is specifically targeting...

12 January 2022

Ethiopia’s economy hit as major clothing maker closes shop

Ethiopia’s once rapidly growing economy is taking another hit tied to its yearlong war, with global clothing manufacturer PVH Corp. saying it is closing its facility there because of the “speed and volatility of the escalating situation.” PVH, whose brands include Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, has been a marquee occupant of Ethiopia’s model industrial park in the city of Hawassa, where Africa’s second-most populous country has...

19 November 2021

You are here: Home/News/Article/Ghana Apparel Training Centre launched to develop garment industry