What government said about plans to establish garment factories in 2026

The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has unveiled plans by the government, in collaboration with the private sector, to establish three large garment factories, which will employ 27,000 people.

Each of the three garment factories will be located in the Central, Bono East, and Eastern Regions.

“Garment manufacturing is an industry that employs a lot of people. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to train for three or five months before starting work. In this industry, we can train you for four weeks, and you already have a job,” Ofosu-Adjare stated during her address at the Government Accountability Series Press Conference at the Presidency in Accra.

“This is beneficial because of the division of labor and specialization. If your work is just making collars, we can train you to do that within a month. So, we hope this industry will create a lot of jobs.”

The Minister explained that the garment factories will employ people across all categories, including university graduates, diploma holders, and even those who have not attended school.

She reiterated that the garment industry is an area where jobs can be created, whether one has a certificate or not.

“For those who have been complaining about the need for certificates for jobs, the garment industry offers decent employment without requiring a certificate. We will train you on the job.”

Ofosu-Adjare also announced plans to fully operationalize seven agro-processing plants in the Northern, Central, Ahafo, Bono, Northeast, Bono East, and Western North Regions, focusing on value chains such as yam, fish, poultry, cashew nut, rice, shea butter, and palm kernel oil.

She added that two Cashew Processing Plants would be built with funding from Ghana Exim Bank, one in the Bono East Region and the other in the Bono Region, under the President’s Accelerated Export Development initiative to enhance value addition.

“We grow a lot of cashews, and the closer the factory is to the raw material, the better the cost-effectiveness and the lower the transportation costs,” she explained.

“This is all happening this year, meaning 2026 will be a busy and successful year for agribusiness and industry. We look forward to ensuring that the benefits reach the public.”

The Minister further stated that 24/7 Business Registration Centres and Digital Helplines would be established.

She said that even as the 24-Hour Economy is being implemented, businesses will also be able to register within 24 hours.

“You can access a helpline within 24 hours, so no matter what time of the day you are working, assistance will be available.”

Ofosu-Adjare noted that the government has drafted the Consumer Protection, Competition, and Business Regulatory Reform Bills, which will also be addressed in 2026 to protect consumers and guide competition.

She added that the government will boost exports and strengthen Ghana’s position in regional and global value chains.

“We host the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and as we improve what we do locally, we will be able to take advantage of the world’s largest single market, with 1.5 billion people and $3.4 trillion in trade,” she said.