The Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC, Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu-Tali, has expressed excitement and satisfaction about progress of the Northshore Apparel Manufacturing Project currently ongoing at Savelugu in the Northern Region.
Construction of phase I of the project, which was launched in February this year, is progressing steadily and is currently about 60% complete. This phase includes a 5,000-square-meter sewing production shed, containing 50 sewing lines, 73 disability-friendly washrooms, a laundry facility, and office spaces on the mezzanine floor. It also includes a 200-cubic anaerobic biodigester, a power and maintenance building, security, a clinic, crèche, locker rooms, among others.
Alhaji Alhassan Yabuku-Tali, who was on a working visit to the Northern Region, expressed optimism that the project, which is a large-scale textile manufacturing facility, will achieve its objective of creating thousands of jobs for the teeming youth and the vulnerable within the northern sector. “I am very excited and satisfied about the progress of this project (the Northshore Apparel Project)”, he said.
“When I came here (the site) in February for the groundbreaking ceremony to commence construction of the project, I reiterated ADB’s pledge to support this important legacy project, and the level of progress today underscores the commitment of all the stakeholders involved,” he added.
The MD emphasized that establishing a major manufacturing facility in the northern region will not only facilitate industrialization in Northern Ghana, but also represent a substantial source of employment opportunities for the youth and the vulnerable to create wealth for themselves and the nation as a whole.
He indicated that ADB will continue to support projects such as the Northshore Apparel Manufacturing to help expand the manufacturing sector in Ghana.
The Project Manager, who is overseeing the execution of the project, Engineer Prosper Hayford Tsey who took the Managing Director and his team round the project indicated that the project was about 60% completed.
The co-founder of Northshore Apparel Gh. Ltd, Mohammed Nurideen, expressed his appreciation for the visit by the ADB Managing Director. “We are very excited for your (ADB MD) visit to ascertain the level of progress of the project. Your visit shows the level of ADB’s commitment as a key partner to facilitate completion and commencement of operations of this facility.” Mr. Nurideen said. He further assured ADB and other key partners that with required funding on schedule, the project will be completed in time.
The Northshore Apparel Ghana Project is funded by the Agricultural Development Bank PLC with counterpart funding from the facility Investing for Empolyment (IFE) of KfW Development Bank. It is part of the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The Northshore Apparel Ghana Project is expected to create a minimum of 2,000 direct jobs as well as several indirect jobs. It is anticipated that with timely disbursement of funds, the phase I project will be completed and commence operations or production by March 2025.