Ghana: Updated Information Apparel Industry

UNCLAS ACCRA 002146 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/EPS: JPOTASH; EEB/TPP/ABT: GARY A. CLEMENTS STATE PASS TO USTR CAROYL MILLER, COMMERCE FOR MARIA D'ANDREA E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD KTEX GH SUBJECT: Ghana: Updated Information Apparel Industry REF: A) STATE 114799; B) 2006 Accra 2321; C) Accra 2091 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. This cable is SBU. Please treat accordingly; not for internet publication. This cable provides updated information on Ghana's apparel factories that are taking advantage of AGOA. The West Africa Trade Hub surveyed each garment factory and obtained information on number of machines, employees and production capacity. The total number of sewing machines at the apparel factories that are in operation is nearly 3000, considerably more than reported in Ref C. Employment is about 3000 in a total of 12 firms. In addition, there is a sock factory (not/not Top Circle, which is suspended from AGOA benefits) with 230 employees and 60 seaming machines. The general conclusions drawn in ref C remain valid. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Apparel Manufacturers in Operation -------------- Global Garments - Accra Free zone 570 employees in two factories 1,115 machines and three 19-head embroidery machines. Production capacity: 40,000 pieces/month. Minimum order: 1,000/style Maa Grace Garments - Koforidua 250 employees 6 production lines of 50 machines each. Minimum order: between 2,000 and 3,000 pieces/style, Oak Brook Ghana Ltd.- Tema Garment Village, 460 employees and 6 production lines of 40 machines each. Minimum order: 3,000 pieces/style. , Premier Quality - Tema Garment Village, 360 employees and 210 machines. Minimum order: 3,000 pieces/style, Decent Touch - Accra, 185 employees and 250 machines. California Link - Tema Garment Village 547 employees 358 machines. Note: California Link is still operating, but the owner defaulted on a USG-backed loan and the facility is being run by new management, with a new name to come soon. See ref C. Sleek Garments - Accra Free Zone 470 emloyees 8 production lines of 40 machines each. Minimum order: 10,000 pieces/style, Cadling Fashion - Accra 21 employees 24 machines. Minimum order: 2 dozen/style, Global Mamas- Cape Coast 10 employees with 55 producers in the cooperative 100 machines in use by producers Minimum order: US$1,000, Nallem - Accra 50 employees and 36 machines. Production Capacity: 1000 pieces/month. Minimum order: 200 pieces. Salma Garments Accra, 24 employees 25 machines Production Capacity: 20,000pieces/month Minimum order 500/style, Network Knitwear Fabrics - Tema Garment Village Sock Factory 230 employees. 60 seaming machines 6 bleaching tubs 2 extractors 8 dryers 16 boarding machines Production capacity: 75,000dozen/week. Minimum order: 30,000 dozen ¶3. (SBU) Factories Coming Soon -------------- Manise Designs - Tema 150 machines, Equipment arrived Training on-going Dignity - Accra Free Zone New, Awaiting Equipment Earlpark - Accra Free Zone New, Awaiting Equipment Note: This is the facility being opened by the owner of Belin, which was located in the same free zone and recently closed. See ref C. Woxone - Accra Free Zone New, Awaiting Equipment Aku Sika - Accra New, Awaiting Equipment Saabs Garments Kumasi New, awaiting Equipment ¶4. (SBU) Temporarily Closed -------------- AfricStyle - Tema Garment Village 120 employees 73 machines. Minimum order: 1,000 pieces Temporarily Closed - reasons not yet known BROWN