Ghana's textile industry under threat of collapse

The country's textile industry is under threat of collapse due to smuggling activities within the industry.

"If this menace is left unchecked, it may lead to the imminent collapse of the four remaining textile manufacturing companies that had survived the activities of these smugglers."

Nana Akrasi Sarpong, Head of Public Relations, Ministry of Trade and Industry, said this when 450 pieces of pirated Ghanaian textile prints, were destroyed at the Kpone land fill site on Wednesday.

He said Ghana would abide by the conventions of the World Trade Organization, which relate to the protection of Intellectual Property Rights.

"We need to save the textile industry in the country. We would continue with the exercise until the wrong-doers are completely discouraged," he said.

Following a petition by the textile Garment and Leather Employees Union, a joint Task Force was established and mandated to seize and destroy all pirated textiles in August, 2010. In June, 2013, a re-constituted Task Force was established by the Ministry.

Nana Sarpong said the work of the Task Force, had significantly minimized the activities of smugglers within the industry.