Ever since the pandemic has gripped world in last few months, several apparel hubs have shifted their apparel units into PPE or scrub-producing units – and they are also been talked about a lot.
But there are many countries, whose efforts have not been getting the recognition that they deserve.
Ethical Apparel Africa, better known as EAA, is one such sourcing company that has been initiating efforts to serve the unsung frontline healthcare workers in Ghana and Benin.
And for this, it has joined hands with its factory partners in Ghana like KAD Manufacturing, Alfie Designs and Maagrace and with ANC from Benin to provide scrubs and PPE for medical staff.
EAA has mobilised funds and support from several donor agencies to help manufacture 50,000 sets of international quality scrubs.
Together with its partner factories, EAA has been ensuring that these quality scrubs are getting distributed to Ghana’s hospitals at reduced costs in close coordination with the Governments of Ghana and Benin, and are also available to be exported to the US, UK and Europe.
It’s noteworthy that some portion will also be distributed to public hospitals in both the countries.
What’s more! EAA has also been making significant investment to set up a first-of-its-kind PPE production unit in Ghana, which aims at producing quality medical grade masks to meet international testing requirements and certification.
The intent is yet again distinct – to provide medical-grade masks for frontline healthcare workers.
The efforts of EAA do not end with scrubs, PPE and masks. It is now strengthening relations with US and UK medical apparel buyers and helping them access West African production capacity and diversify their supply chains.
Earlier this year, Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, had said “We know how to bring the economy back to life, but we do not know how to bring people back to life.” Now Ghana is getting accolades and praises – and deservedly so – for its early preventative measures.
Yes a great effort for Ghana, which 30 years back had 30,000 people in its apparel industry and which 3 years back had just one-tenth of that number. However, lately the industry has been showing lot of potential and promise. After bleak export numbers of US $ 24 million in 2016, in 2017 just the apparel exports alone touched US $ 98 million thanks to many new and established firms successfully leveraging niche markets.
Yes, Ghana’s apparel and textile industry is slowly getting back on its feet and together with EAA it is heading towards the right direction.
