By Caleb Kuleke
Ho, Aug. 20, GNA- Mrs Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the Namibian High Commissioner to Ghana, has commended the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and called for enhanced cooperation to drive industrial growth.
The High Commissioner praised Ghana’s advanced textile industry, noting that Namibia currently lagged in this sector and relied heavily on textile imports.
Mrs Nghituwamata said Namibia had a strategic interest in sourcing raw and finished textile materials from fellow African nations, naming Ghana as an ideal partner.
The High Commissioner made the remarks during her visit to the AGI’s Office at Ho in the Volta Region, as part of her tour of the area.
She explained that her mission was to understand the AGI’s operations, explore its constituent sectors, and assess Ghana’s exportable goods and expertise to chart a clear path for collaboration.
The diplomat emphasised that deeper collaboration between the AGI and Namibian industrial bodies would create a platform for knowledge sharing.
Addressing broader continental challenges, Mrs Nghituwamata said Africa’s persistent deficit in value addition, particularly within manufacturing and agribusiness, was worrying.
She stated that several African countries produced similar primary goods, making robust intra-African cooperation essential to building processing capacities and fostering shared growth.
Mr Dela Gbeve, the Volta, Eastern and Oti Regions’ Chairman of the AGI, welcomed the visit, describing it as a significant step forward for both countries.
He affirmed the AGI’s readiness to partner with Namibia, particularly in accelerating industrial growth to create jobs for citizens of both countries.
Mr Gbeve underscored AGI’s active collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to ensure the successful implementation of regional trade agendas.
As the leading voice for Ghanaian industry, Mr Gbeve noted that AGI continued to advocate effectively before governments and policymakers while building the capacity of entrepreneurs to compete globally.
He paid tribute to his predecessor, Mr Dela Gadzanku, highlighting his current leadership role as the Vice President of the AGI in charge of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector.
Mr Gbeve emphasised that the region was actively leveraging Mr Gadzanku’s extensive expertise, tapping into his wealth of knowledge and guidance to accelerate regional economic development.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo