Sleek Garments CEO Nora Abbott Warns: Ghana’s Textile Industry Must Move Quickly If AGOA Ends

Nora Banaman Abbott, Chief Executive of Sleek Garments Exports Ltd, has warned that Ghana’s textile industry must “move quickly” if the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is not renewed.

Abbott argued that the country’s survival strategy must start at home—with citizens and domestic demand. “Why do we advance-pay abroad but make our own manufacturers wait three months? It’s a self-inflicted injury that strips jobs from our youth,” she said, urging stronger local procurement practices.

Nora Bannerman-Abbot, CEO, Sleek Garments Export, Ghana

The CEO outlined urgent priorities: predictable financing, reduced production costs, regional sales under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and fair procurement policies. She noted that while only one Ghanaian factory currently exports significant volumes to the U.S. under AGOA, history shows that with training, technical support and affordable finance, Ghanaian mills have successfully scaled exports in the past.

Abbott stressed that cost drivers—expensive power, unpredictable taxes, and the lack of long-term finance—must be tackled if factories are to expand and create jobs. She also called for immediate steps to grow regional markets through trade shows, distribution partnerships and targeted revival funds.

“If AGOA goes, it will hurt. But it does not remove our markets,” Abbott declared, urging a national virtual roundtable of ministries, procurement agencies and industry players to dismantle barriers holding back local production.