Quality issues in the Garment Industry: A perspective of Ghana’s SMEs and Dressmakers

Nana Banimaa Oduro Boateng; Akosua Mawuse Amankwah; Solomon Marfo Ayesu; Cynthia Akua Chichi; George Kwame Fobiri

doi:10.35738/ftr.v5.2024.02

Authors

Nana Banimaa Oduro Boateng Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3527-566X (unauthenticated)
Akosua Mawuse Amankwah Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1732-0989 (unauthenticated)
Solomon Marfo Ayesu Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3640-0298 (unauthenticated)
Cynthia Akua Chichi Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2358-119X (unauthenticated)
George Kwame Fobiri Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9519-6699 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35738/ftr.v5.2024.02

Keywords:

Clothing, Ghanaian-made, garment production, dressmakers, pre-production, post-production, small-scale manufacturing (SMEs)

Abstract

Purpose: Clothing is one of the most prioritised needs of people since it creates various impressions about them. Yet, compared to the foreign ones, the demand for Ghanaian-made is in low demand due to arguments on inferior quality. The purpose of the study was to investigate quality issues within Ghana's garment industry from the perspective of SMEs and dressmakers.

Methodology/Design: A qualitative approach was employed, utilising face-to-face interviews and focus groups with industry participants. Data was analysed using NVivo to identify key themes such as pre-production, production, and post-production phases. These themes included: the type of sewing machine used; human resources and work environment; quality supervision and inspection; press as you sew; garment accessory assessment; trimming suitability and aesthetics; finishing techniques; comparative assessment of quality; and packaging.

Findings: The study identified major quality challenges in each phase of the garment production process. These include inadequate training during pre-production, inconsistent quality control during production, and poor finishing in post-production.

Practical and Social Implications: The study has implications for policy interventions, by addressing these quality issues, the study suggests that SMEs can enhance their competitiveness and sustainability. Improved training, investment in better equipment, and stringent quality controls are crucial for the industry's growth and market reputation. Improving garment quality in Ghana's SMEs can boost national pride, reduce reliance on imports, strengthen the local economy, create jobs, and ensure fair labour practices, this study provides a holistic view of quality issues in the garment industry, offering unique insights from local dressmakers and SMEs, and highlighting specific challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Originality: This study provides a distinctive perspective into the specific quality issues faced by Ghanaian SMEs and dressmakers, offering targeted solutions to bridge the gap between small-scale and large-scale producers.

Author Biographies

Nana Banimaa Oduro Boateng

Nana Banimaa Oduro Boateng is an Assistant Lecturer (Part-time) at the Department of Fashion Design and Textiles Studies, Kumasi Technical University. She was born at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in the Ashanti region of Ghana. She comes from Nsuta-Beposo in the Ashanti region of Ghana. She has a certificate in Intermediate Fashion in 2003, and an Advance Certificate in Fashion in 2006. She continued with a Diploma in Education in 2010 and obtained her first degree in BSc. Fashion Design Technology Education in 2015 from the University of Education, (UEW) Kumasi Campus, now the Appiah-Menka University of Education University of Skills and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED). She was appointed as an Instructor at the University College of Education of Winneba, main campus at the Production Unit under the Home Economics Department for five years. For her quest to further her education, she now has her Master of Philosophy in Fashion Design Technology (2022) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Her research interests cover Student's Attitude Towards Made-in-Ghana Garments, Quality Assessment of Garment Production, Consumer Merchandising, Retailing Management, Apparel and Textile Manufacturing.
Akosua Mawuse Amankwah

Akosua Mawuse Amankwah (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Industrial Art, Faulty of Art, of the College of Art and Built Environment (CABE)- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi Ghana. She holds a Bachelor of Art in Textiles (2001), a Master of Design in Professional Design for Textiles and Fashion (MDES) from the Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh (2007) and a PhD in Fashion Design Technology from KNUST (2023). She facilitates Design and Marketing related courses in undergraduate and post-graduate programs in her Department. Her research interest is in Ghana’s Fashion Industry Sustainability, particularly in the area of Circular Fashion. She is a member of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG); The Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals, Ghana (ITFPG); the International Learning Network on Sustainability (LeNS); and an Outreach Member of the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI).
Solomon Marfo Ayesu

Solomon Marfo Ayesu (PhD) is a seasoned academic and researcher who hails from Akuapem Mampong in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He currently serves as HOD and senior lecturer in the Fashion Design and Textile Studies Department at Kumasi Technical University. He holds a PhD in Textile Design Technology, a Master of Fine Art in Textile Design, and a Bachelor of Art in Textile Design from the Department of Industrial Art at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also earned a Higher National Diploma from the Kumasi Technical University, formerly Kumasi Polytechnic. His research interests span a diverse range of fields, including Textile Design, Fashion Design, Creative Design, History of Arts and Culture, Critical Thinking, and ICT.
Cynthia Akua Chichi

Cynthia Akua Chichi (PhD) is a lecturer in the Department of Industrial Art, KNUST and has served on various committees at different levels of the University community. She has a PhD in Fashion Design Technology but before that, obtained a bachelor's degree in Industrial Art (Textiles) in 2006 and went on to pursue further studies in Design Innovation in 2008, having served as a National Service Person in the same Department in 2007. She worked as a Research Assistant from 2010 to 2011 at Coventry University, UK and returned home to work as an Assistant Lecturer in 2013 in the Textiles and Fashion Section of the Department of Industrial Art. Her area of specialization is in Pattern and Garment Technology, Sustainable fashion and Printed Textile Design Applications.
George Kwame Fobiri

George Kwame Fobiri is an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Fashion Design and Textiles Studies, Kumasi Technical University. He holds a bachelor's degree (B.A. Industrial Art-Textiles) and a master’s degree (MFA. Textile Design), all from the Department of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His research interests cover textile printing & dyeing, fashion, studio-based textile art, CAD, product design, etc.

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