{
  "id": 14034041,
  "title": "AGI urges investment in skills and raw materials to strengthen local manufacturing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/agi-urges-investment-in-skills-and-raw-materials-to-strengthen-local-14034041",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-12T19:30:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Joy Business",
    "slug": "joy-business",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/agi-urges-investment-in-skills-and-raw-materials-to-strengthen-local-manufacturing/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) is intensifying its efforts to boost the country's garment, textiles, and leather sector, following the government's decision to involve local manufacturers in producing uniforms and other apparel for security forces. Industry experts believe that overcoming skill gaps, high production costs, and limited access to raw materials will be essential to fostering demand within the sector.\n\nEdwina Assan, chairperson of AGI's Garment, Textiles and Leather Sector, explains that the association is working alongside training institutions and industry players to develop the necessary skills for local production. She acknowledges that some institutions are lacking the technical know-how and personnel required to train workers for the industry. In response, AGI plans to develop programs to help institutions provide training.\n\nAssan also highlights the challenge of high costs associated with importing raw materials and other production inputs. She stresses that reducing reliance on imported materials through local production could help lower manufacturing expenses and make Ghanaian products more competitive. Lowering production costs will enable businesses to pay workers better wages.\n\nTonyi Senayah, the CEO of Horseman Shoes, emphasizes the importance of building local capacity in the footwear and leather industries before considering restrictions on imported products. He questions whether local businesses have the production capacity to meet domestic demand and stresses that protecting the industry should be accompanied by investment in skills, enterprise development, and market access.\n\nSenayah advocates for developing the capacity of businesses in the footwear and leather space, calling for intentional efforts to build their capacity and provide them with market access. He notes that the leather industry has significant potential for job creation, especially among young people, but local enterprises need support to expand and compete effectively.",
  "summary": "The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) is stepping up efforts to strengthen Ghana's garment, textiles and leather sector, following the government's decision to engage local manufacturers to produce uniforms and other apparel for the security services.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "AGI urges investment in skills and raw materials to strengthen local manufacturing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/agi-urges-investment-in-skills-and-raw-materials-to-strengthen-local",
        "published": "2026-10-12T19:30:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}