Compliance with Global Best Practices by Garment Producers in Ghana

Purpose: This study investigates the level of compliance with global best practices among garment producers in Ghana, with a specific focus on sourcing compliance, production compliance, and distribution compliance. It covers aspects such as labour ethics, environmental stewardship, product quality...

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Main Authors: Stella Daah Siaw, Ebenezer Kofi Howard, Ninette Afi Appiah, Cynthia Akua Chichi, Benjamin Kwablah Asinyo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals – Ghana 2025-07-01
Series:Fashion and Textiles Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.itfpgh.com/ftr/article/view/118
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author Stella Daah Siaw
Ebenezer Kofi Howard
Ninette Afi Appiah
Cynthia Akua Chichi
Benjamin Kwablah Asinyo
author_facet Stella Daah Siaw
Ebenezer Kofi Howard
Ninette Afi Appiah
Cynthia Akua Chichi
Benjamin Kwablah Asinyo
author_sort Stella Daah Siaw
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: This study investigates the level of compliance with global best practices among garment producers in Ghana, with a specific focus on sourcing compliance, production compliance, and distribution compliance. It covers aspects such as labour ethics, environmental stewardship, product quality, and adherence to international trade standards. Methodology/Design: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, using a structured questionnaire administered to 317 garment manufacturing firms across Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi. Compliance was assessed across sourcing, production, and distribution domains using Likert-scale items adapted from international benchmarks such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, ISO certifications, and the Higgs Index. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse patterns and gaps in compliance practices, including mean scores and standard deviations. Findings: The study revealed moderate to low overall compliance, with mean scores. While firms exhibited higher compliance in ethical labour practices, employee training, and quality assurance, substantial deficiencies were identified in environmental sustainability, automation, data-driven quality control, and adherence to international trade regulations. Notably, blockchain use, recycling initiatives, and lean manufacturing practices were poorly rated, indicating limited digital and ecological transformation across the sector. Practical and Social Implications: These findings underscore the pressing need for policy reforms, capacity building, and infrastructure enhancements to facilitate Ghana’s integration into ethical and sustainable global garment value chains. For policymakers, the results underscore the importance of embedding compliance support within national industrial strategies. For garment producers, the study offers a roadmap for targeted investment in technology, sustainability, and workforce development. Originality: This study contributes original empirical evidence on compliance with global best practices in Ghana’s garment sector, a topic that remains underexplored in West Africa. It offers a model for examining compliance dynamics in other emerging economies. Beyond its academic value, the study is policy-relevant, providing insights to inform national industrial strategies, regulatory frameworks, and export support programs that aim to enhance sustainability and competitiveness.
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language English
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publisher The Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals – Ghana
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series Fashion and Textiles Review
spelling doaj-art-bc9dc8157f50484e90da8c04e1b87b792025-08-20T02:45:15ZengThe Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals – GhanaFashion and Textiles Review2665-09832025-07-01610.35738/ftr.v6.2025.24Compliance with Global Best Practices by Garment Producers in GhanaStella Daah Siaw0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5824-2756Ebenezer Kofi Howard1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8282-3091Ninette Afi Appiah2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6790-240XCynthia Akua Chichi3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2358-119XBenjamin Kwablah Asinyo4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9208-2482TVET Department, Wesley College of Education, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Fashion Design and Textiles Education, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana Purpose: This study investigates the level of compliance with global best practices among garment producers in Ghana, with a specific focus on sourcing compliance, production compliance, and distribution compliance. It covers aspects such as labour ethics, environmental stewardship, product quality, and adherence to international trade standards. Methodology/Design: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, using a structured questionnaire administered to 317 garment manufacturing firms across Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi. Compliance was assessed across sourcing, production, and distribution domains using Likert-scale items adapted from international benchmarks such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, ISO certifications, and the Higgs Index. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse patterns and gaps in compliance practices, including mean scores and standard deviations. Findings: The study revealed moderate to low overall compliance, with mean scores. While firms exhibited higher compliance in ethical labour practices, employee training, and quality assurance, substantial deficiencies were identified in environmental sustainability, automation, data-driven quality control, and adherence to international trade regulations. Notably, blockchain use, recycling initiatives, and lean manufacturing practices were poorly rated, indicating limited digital and ecological transformation across the sector. Practical and Social Implications: These findings underscore the pressing need for policy reforms, capacity building, and infrastructure enhancements to facilitate Ghana’s integration into ethical and sustainable global garment value chains. For policymakers, the results underscore the importance of embedding compliance support within national industrial strategies. For garment producers, the study offers a roadmap for targeted investment in technology, sustainability, and workforce development. Originality: This study contributes original empirical evidence on compliance with global best practices in Ghana’s garment sector, a topic that remains underexplored in West Africa. It offers a model for examining compliance dynamics in other emerging economies. Beyond its academic value, the study is policy-relevant, providing insights to inform national industrial strategies, regulatory frameworks, and export support programs that aim to enhance sustainability and competitiveness. https://journal.itfpgh.com/ftr/article/view/118Value ChainComplianceGlobal Best PracticesGarment Producers
spellingShingle Stella Daah Siaw
Ebenezer Kofi Howard
Ninette Afi Appiah
Cynthia Akua Chichi
Benjamin Kwablah Asinyo
Compliance with Global Best Practices by Garment Producers in Ghana
Fashion and Textiles Review
Value Chain
Compliance
Global Best Practices
Garment Producers
title Compliance with Global Best Practices by Garment Producers in Ghana
title_full Compliance with Global Best Practices by Garment Producers in Ghana
title_fullStr Compliance with Global Best Practices by Garment Producers in Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Compliance with Global Best Practices by Garment Producers in Ghana
title_short Compliance with Global Best Practices by Garment Producers in Ghana
title_sort compliance with global best practices by garment producers in ghana
topic Value Chain
Compliance
Global Best Practices
Garment Producers
url https://journal.itfpgh.com/ftr/article/view/118
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