Ghana Hosts First-Ever WRAP Social Audit Training in West Africa to Boost Sustainable Garment Manufacturing

Ghana has achieved a major milestone in ethical manufacturing by hosting the first-ever Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) Social Audit System Training (SAST) in West Africa. The initiative aims to strengthen sustainability, accountability, and social responsibility in the region’s textile and garment industry.
The week-long training, organized by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and GIZ, brought together key industry stakeholders, including representatives from the Ghana Standards Authority, Accra Technical University, Dignity DTRT Garments, the Association of Ghana Apparel Manufacturers, SGS, Bureau Veritas, and the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI).
The programme focused on building participants’ technical capacity in social auditing, responsible production, and ethical compliance, equipping them with the tools to promote decent work standards and sustainable manufacturing practices across Ghana’s industrial sector.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Ministry, Mr. Noah Tumfo, Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade, described the training as a “historic milestone” for both Ghana and the ECOWAS region. He noted that the initiative represents a significant step in embedding a culture of ethical compliance and responsible manufacturing across the country.
“Through this achievement, Ghana has taken a bold step forward in demonstrating regional leadership in ethical compliance and social responsibility,” he said. “We are showing that Africa is not merely following global standards; we are contributing to shaping them.”
He revealed that participants who successfully complete their examinations will become the first certified social auditors under the WRAP initiative in West Africa, positioning Ghana as a pioneer in promoting responsible and competitive garment production.
Mr. Tumfo also commended WRAP trainers, facilitators, and development partners for their dedication, urging continued collaboration to sustain the progress achieved.
“Together, we have shown that Ghana and West Africa are ready to lead and demonstrate that compliance and competitiveness can, and must, go hand in hand,” he concluded.
In a related address, Mr. John Duti, Team Leader for Invest for Jobs (GIZ Ghana), applauded the participants for their commitment and active engagement throughout the programme. He highlighted that the WRAP initiative extends beyond certification, fostering systems and workplace practices that promote decent work and international market access.
“This initiative is about the values and day-to-day practices that create safe, fair, and sustainable workplaces,” Mr. Duti noted, reaffirming GIZ’s commitment to advancing sustainable business models under its Special Initiative on Decent Work for a Just Transition.
The WRAP Social Audit System Training marks a major advancement in Ghana’s efforts to align its textiles and garments industry with global sustainability standards, paving the way for a new generation of social auditors dedicated to promoting integrity and responsible growth across the region.