By Benjamin A. Commey, GNA
Sunyani (B/R), May 3, GNA – Outsourcing garment contracts abroad is threatening local manufacturers, Mr Michael Asare, Chief Executive Officer of McKenzie Ghana Limited, has cautioned.
He said the practice was weakening indigenous producers, causing job losses and hindering growth of the domestic textiles and apparel industry.
Mr Asare, who has worked in the garment sector for over three decades, told the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani that his company and others in the Bono Region had the capacity to produce sportswear, including PE kits, football jerseys, athletics vests and tracksuits.
“We can produce everything here in Ghana. If the contracts are given to us, we will not allow anybody to go to China again,” he stated.
Mr. Asare recalled that before the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy, local manufacturers were engaged to produce uniforms and sports kits, but centralised procurement had since sidelined them.
“Now, when they do the procurement, those who win the contracts either send the work to China or give it to us at very low prices. That is killing our industry,” he said.
Mr Asare explained that his company, which began with one sewing machine, now owned more than 200, though limited space allowed only about 60 to be used.
He said with adequate support, particularly contracts and expanded space, operations and employment could be scaled up.
“If government gives me support and contracts, within three months I can run a 24-hour production system,” he said, linking the plan to the proposed 24-hour economy policy.
Such support, Mr Asare said, would enable him to increase his workforce from 40 to about 2,000 within six months.
“I can create almost 2,000 direct jobs if we are given large-scale contracts,” he emphasised.
On skills development, Mr Asare said his company had trained hundreds of young people, many of whom had established their own businesses.
He noted that while apprenticeship traditionally took three years, his experience allowed him to train individuals within weeks, aligning with the National Apprenticeship Programme.
“I already train apprentices and even give them allowances. With more support, we can do more for the youth,” he added.
Mr Asare highlighted challenges in accessing quality raw materials, often sourced from Accra and Côte d’Ivoire, and called for stronger implementation of government initiatives to improve supply and support local manufacturers.
He urged policymakers to recognise the potential of regions like Bono in driving industrialisation, warning that collapse of such businesses would have severe social and economic consequences.
“There are about 10 factories like mine in this region. If we are supported, we can handle national demand and create jobs locally.
“If this factory shuts down, it will affect many families because a lot of people depend on this company,” he said.
Mr Abdul Hamid Iddris, General Manager, also appealed for patronage of local garments, lamenting preference for foreign ones despite the quality of local products.
He said management had undertaken outreach to schools and institutions to promote their products and reiterated calls for support to expand production and employment.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Benjamin A. Commey
[email protected]