The Non-performance of Ghana Cotton Industry: Eco- Friendly Cotton Production Technologies for Sustainable Development

Overview of the Ghana Textile Industry primarily shows a predominant cotton fabric manufacturing sector with absolute reliance on cotton as the major raw material for production. The Ghana Cotton Company Limited (GCCL) and other privately owned ginneries in the Northern Region have, in the past, been the major suppliers of lint cotton to the textile factories with occasional imports to support that obtained locally. The situation has changed where the textile industries now heavily rely on offshore cotton companies for supply of lint cotton and mercerized cotton fabrics due to the inability of the local cotton industry to meet their demands. This qualitative case study assesses the performance of the Ghana Cotton Industry within a ten-year period from 2000 to 2010 with the focus on the challenges and prospects of the industry and finds pragmatic strategies to help boost productivity. The study revealed that out of 70,000mt total installed ginnery capacity, Ghana’s cotton production per annum now hovers around 4,000mt; an abysmal performance which is mainly attributed to low productivity level of out-growers who still stick to obsolete cotton production technology with heavily reliance on agro-chemicals resulting in high cost of production. However, with respect to the global advocacy for ecofriendly production with its associated environmental and economic benefits, the study recommends the adaption of chemical-free cotton production technologies such as Organic cotton and Genetically-Modified cotton as surest means through which Ghana Cotton Industry can redirect it focus for sustainable development. © 2012 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved