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The Textile Industry in Ghana: A Look into Tertiary Textile Education and its Relevance to the Industry

Adikorley, Ruth D.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1367942445

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising (Education).
Ghana is an African county rich in culture; a key component of the culture being its tradition of textiles with colorful and bold motifs. The textile manufacturing companies in Ghana have faced economic challenges since the inception of trade liberalization (Quartey, 2006). Specifically, Chinese imports have introduced competition into the market which has resulted in marginalized value of authentic Ghanaian textiles (Egu, 2009, Quartey 2006). Pelelo (2009) suggested that economic benefits could result for African nations from educational reform. The purpose of this study was to explore the tertiary education system in Ghana and to understand its current relevance to the Ghanaian textile industry. The research questions developed for this study were: • What is the current state of the textiles industry in Ghana? • What are the views of key stakeholders about the relevance of the current textile curriculum to the industry? • What are opportunities for future industry growth and career advancement within the textile field in Ghana? This research addressed this issue through exploratory interviews with stakeholders including government officials, industry representatives and faculty members of a textile program in a public tertiary institution. Additionally, students from the same program as the faculty member participants were surveyed. This primarily qualitative approach enabled data collection to answer the relevant research questions. There was strong agreement that the industry is in a state of collapse; the Ghanaian textile industry is not competitive enough to withstand the competition presented by textile imports. As a result of this research, the following recommendations were generated: • Ghanaian textile companies need to be creative and innovative to withstand the challenges presented to the industry, particularly in terms of textile design and its application to product design. • The industry needs to invest in modern technologies for production and hence reduce production and labor costs. • Educational institutions should include internship, management, retail and global trade courses in their curricula to make graduates more marketable for the industry. • Industries and tertiary institutions need to partner to educate consumers about recognizing authentic Ghanaian textiles and about the economic effects of smuggled and imported textiles. • Tertiary institutions should cultivate strong alumni networks to enhance industry / education relationships. • Better and documented collaborations between tertiary institutions and industry are needed. • Government should consider ways to be responsive to domestic textile challenges through policies that provide economic support.
V. Ann Paulins (Advisor)
106 p.
Curricula; Education; Textile Research
culture; curriculum; education; Ghana; textile industry

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Adikorley, R. D. (2013). The Textile Industry in Ghana: A Look into Tertiary Textile Education and its Relevance to the Industry [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1367942445

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Adikorley, Ruth. The Textile Industry in Ghana: A Look into Tertiary Textile Education and its Relevance to the Industry. 2013. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1367942445.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Adikorley, Ruth. "The Textile Industry in Ghana: A Look into Tertiary Textile Education and its Relevance to the Industry." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1367942445

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.