She made the appeal on Sunday, August 24, at the Kansai Africa Business Forum in Osaka, a side event of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).

Highlighting opportunities in textiles, the automotive sector, and the green industry, Madam Ofosu-Adjare said Ghana was ready to forge stronger partnerships.

“With the right partnership, Ghana can become a competitive force for high-quality textile and apparel exports to African and global markets,” she explained, citing the country’s potential in the integrated cotton cultivation value chain.

She also noted Ghana’s growing automotive industry, where vehicle assembly plants are already operational, and the country is positioning itself as a hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“As AfCFTA gains momentum, regional demand for vehicles and components is expected to grow rapidly,” she said, urging Japanese firms to establish supplier networks and distribution hubs in Ghana.

The Minister further underscored Ghana’s commitment to green industrialisation through renewable energy, waste-to-value initiatives, and low-carbon manufacturing.

“These initiatives will not only reduce emissions but also generate new revenue streams for investors,” she said, adding that Ghana remained “open, eagerly prepared, and strategically positioned” to serve as Japan’s most reliable partner in Africa.

Source: myjoyonline.com

At the inaugural Annual International Conference of the Institute, Vice President, Professor Ebenezer Kofi Howard, decried the government’s neglect of the sector over the years.

According to him, it was about time the government engaged them in policy direction to help grow the textile and fashion industries.

“It is going to have economic gains because the industry is the bedrock upon which most of the economic goods are grown,” he said.

Professor Howard laid emphasis on the fact that technical and vocational education can sustain itself mostly on textiles and fashion.

“All the technical universities in Ghana are running textile and fashion programs but don’t have anywhere for them to go after the training; then what kind of training are we giving to them?” he asked.

Professor Awurabena Gloria Okrah, who has been in the textile and fashion industry for over forty years, said the maiden event has outdoored the Institute to the world.

“It will make an impact not only locally, nationally, but also globally,” she noted.

A ten-member national board was inaugurated at the 1st Annual International Conference of the Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals—Ghana. They include Prof. Charles Frimpong, Dr. Daniel Kwabena Danso, Prof. Richard Acquaye, Prof. Ebenezer Kofi Howard, Dr. Ninette Appiah, Dr. Solomon Ayesu Marfo, Rev. Dr. Timothy Crenstil, Jerome Kwaku Dunyo, Awurabena Gloria Okrah, and Kwodwo Agyenim Boateng.