President John Dramani Mahama has described the establishment of Northshore Apparel at Savelugu in the Northern Region as the beginning of efforts to restore northern Ghana to its former industrial strength.
Speaking at the opening of the facility, President Mahama recalled a time when northern Ghana had several industries that provided employment and supported economic activity but later declined due to challenges including inadequate power supply, weak value chains and poor transport infrastructure.
He noted that the region previously had an integrated textile and agricultural value chain, with cotton farmers supplying raw materials to textile companies for processing into products for the local market.
The President also recalled the existence of processing plants producing commodities such as shea butter, which provided employment opportunities for many young people.
According to him, improvements in electricity supply, road infrastructure and air transport, together with the availability of land and the region’s potential for solar energy, are gradually making northern Ghana more attractive to investors.
President Mahama described Northshore Apparel as the anchor tenant of a planned major industrial hub in northern Ghana.
He said the hub, when fully developed, could create employment for at least 30,000 young people, helping to reduce unemployment and the migration of young people from northern Ghana to the southern parts of the country.
He further assured that government would continue supporting industrial projects capable of creating jobs, strengthening local production and expanding Ghana’s export capacity.
The President expressed optimism that Northshore Apparel would serve as the first major step towards rebuilding the industrial base of northern Ghana and restoring the region’s former economic vibrancy.
