Ghana Identifying Opportunities In Circular Textiles Business

The Ghana government has commenced a feasibility study of the textiles and apparel value chain to identify circular business opportunities.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI), which specialises in providing solutions to environmental problems.

“One of the goals includes helping to revamp the sector and address the environmental and health impacts of imported used clothes,” Ghana Business reported.

Mr Patrick Nomo, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) made the announcement in Accra at the official opening of KEITI office.

Nomo said Ghana was a major importer of used textiles and was home to one of the largest second-hand textiles markets in the world and estimated imports at US $420 million in 2022.

The Chief Director said the production of clothing had approximately doubled in the last 15 years, while the number of times a garment is worn before being discarded had decreased by about 36 per cent.

He said the vision was to advance a more sustainable and circular trade of used textiles by forging partnerships with industry, trading partners, development partners and other stakeholders.

Mr Nomo said the opening of the office was one of the many reasons why the partnership between MESTI and KEITI was important.

Dr. Heung Jin Choi, President of KEITI said Ghana was the first African country to have the presence of KEITI.

“The primary purpose of the office is to expand cooperation between Ghana and Korea in the environmental field, and to ensure a stable environment for collaboration,” Dr Choi added.