Papa Owusu-Ankomah
Ghana’s High Commissioner to
the United Kingdom (UK) Papa Owusu-Ankomah has urged Ghanaian garment and textile
manufacturers to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that exist in the
UK and European markets following UK’s decision to leave the European Union.
“Brexit has opened up new
markets, and it is my hope that you use the opportunity to manufacture more in
order to create wealth and generate employment in Ghana,” Mr. Owusu-Ankomah advised.
The high commissioner made
these revelations at an event hosted by the Ghana High Commission to introduce
Ghanaian garment manufacturers to potential buyers in the UK and Europe. It was
organised by Ethical Apparel Africa, a UK-based garment sourcing and
development organisation, in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Trade and
Industry through their UK office and supported by the UK Department for
International Development (DFID).
Mr. Owusu-Ankomah further urged
the Ghanaian manufacturers to find out what the expectations of the market were
in order to live up to them.
Patrick Nimo, Chief Director,
Ghana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, urged participants to make the most of
Ghana’s position as the Headquarters of the African Continental Trade Area and
to use Ghana as a base to access the bigger African market.
Keren Pybus, Founder and CEO of
Apparel Africa, disclosed that she chose Ghana as her base because of the
stable political and economic environment, as well as a youthful and hard-working
industrial population. She, therefore, called on the major international brands
in the UK and Europe to consider Ghana as their manufacturing base.
Others present at the event
included Kofi Addo, Head of Strategic Anchor Industries and Special Initiatives
at the Ministry of Trade; Paakow Bartels, Head of Trade and Investment at the
Ghana High Commission; Dodzie Numekevor, Head of Public Affairs and
Information; Mr. Peter McAllister of the Ethical Trading Initiative and Naana Frempong
Arhin from the DFID.
Some of the manufacturers who
exhibited their products were Adjo Asare of Alfie Designs, Mrs. Linda Ampah of
KAD Designs and Maa Grace Designs.