The major Problem Confronting the Local Textile Industry is the Smuggling and importation of pirated textiles. The Smugglers evade duty on imported textiles and engage in under-declaration and under-invoicing on imported goods. In some cases, there is no description of imports and initiative of original designs, as the problem can be traced from China where Original Ghanaian designs are Copied and re-printed at a cheaper cost. For this reason, the Ministry of Trade and Industry joint task force in Collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority have organized a sensitization workshop for textile dealers and exporters at Ashaiman and Tema Metropolis to educate them on some measures to stop piracy of Ghanaian Textiles to Safe guard the Industry from Collapse.
There were presentation from the Ministry's Task force Unit, the Ghana Standards Authority, the Local Textiles Manufacturers and the Textile importers and distribution Association. Participants were educated on Pirated Prints which are embossed with Ghanaian textiles trademarks and Inscription made in Ghana deceiving the public on the originality of the Ghanaian prints. According to the Local Textile Manufacturers there is need for stringent measures to protect the industry. A Representative from the Ministry's Task Force, Mr. Lawrence Osei-Boateng said, for the past six months, the Unit has not seized or destroyed any pirated textiles. The team also visited the Tema Community one market to encourage the textile dealers to patronize made in Ghana goods including African Textile Designs to save the textile industry. Some textile dealers called on the ministry of trade to intensify supervision of the three main entry points into the country.
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