Government advances 24-Hour Economy with commissioning of Northshore Apparel

The commissioning, which forms part of Government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda, brought together high-level government officials, business leaders, development partners and international dignitaries, including the German Ambassador to Ghana, H:E. Frederik Landshoeft The occasion was also graced by traditional leaders from Savelugu and the wider Tamale area.

The facility, a wholly Ghanaian-owned apparel manufacturing hub, is expected to significantly boost garment production for both local and international markets. The factory has already created more than 2,300 direct jobs and is expected to expand its employment opportunities as production increases.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the establishment of Northshore Apparel represented an important step towards transforming Ghana’s raw materials into finished products and retaining more value within the domestic economy.

She noted that although Africa produces a significant share of the world’s cotton, much of the raw material is exported for processing elsewhere, resulting in the continent losing substantial economic value. She therefore stressed the need for Ghana to strengthen the link between agriculture and manufacturing by producing cotton locally and processing it into yarn, fabric and finished garments.

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare said Government was committed to supporting the development of a strong cotton-to-garment value chain, particularly in northern Ghana, where there is considerable potential for cotton cultivation. She said the successful development of such a value chain would create jobs, improve farmers’ livelihoods, support industrialization and increase Ghana’s export earnings.

The Hon. Minister further highlighted the significance of Northshore Apparel being established outside the traditional industrial centers of Accra and Tema, describing it as evidence that large-scale manufacturing could thrive in other parts of the country. She reaffirmed Government’s commitment to creating the conditions necessary for businesses to expand production, access markets and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic transformation.

The Chief Executive Officer of Northshore Apparel Ghana Limited, Alhaji Nurudeen Mohammed, was commended for his vision and investment in establishing the facility in the Northern Region. President Mahama praised Alhaji Nurudeen and his partners for their contribution towards building the factory, describing the project as an example of what the 24-Hour Economy is intended to achieve through multiple shifts, increased production and job creation.

President Mahama said the Northshore project demonstrated that the Northern Region had the potential to become a major industrial hub. He explained that the facility would not only create employment but also contribute to accelerated exports and foreign exchange earnings, with a significant portion of its products expected to be exported.

The President further projected that the Northshore Industrial Hub, when fully developed, could provide employment for up to 30,000 young people and help reduce the migration of young people from northern Ghana to the southern part of the country in search of economic opportunities.

The commissioning of Northshore Apparel marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s industrialization drive and provides a practical demonstration of the Government’s 24-Hour Economy vision, which seeks to expand productive capacity, create sustainable employment and position Ghanaian businesses to compete effectively in regional and international markets.