International fashion model and Creative Director of BB Boutique, Belinda Baidoo, is urging both government and private investors to provide financial backing to boost Ghana’s fashion industry.
Baidoo emphasized that despite the sector’s significant potential, it is hindered by a lack of funding and neglect, preventing it from gaining international recognition. In an exclusive interview with Graphic Showbiz, she stressed the vital role the fashion industry plays in job creation, revenue generation, and economic development. She noted that the fashion value chain, from raw material production to retail, has the capacity to make a substantial economic impact if properly supported.
“The fashion industry is one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors, yet it continues to face neglect. This industry can provide jobs and stimulate economic growth if given the right attention,” she said.
Having worked with major international brands like Nike, Victoria’s Secret, Giorgio Armani, and Guinness, Baidoo attributed the stagnation of the industry to the absence of adequate financial support from both the government and private investors.
She called on the government to reduce taxes on fashion imports and offer financial assistance to local manufacturers, designers, and retailers to alleviate some of their financial burdens.
“We need funding. The government needs to invest in the fashion sector. What we often overlook is something many of us have dedicated our lives to. We need to support the creative side of the industry—the women at Makola, local manufacturers, mass production importers, and entrepreneurs working hard to grow their businesses. These are the people who need help,” she explained.
She further pointed out that when tourists visit Ghana, they shop in various places, not just upscale stores. “Supporting these local players is crucial if we want to see the industry grow, like what is happening in other countries,” she concluded.