Akosombo Textiles Workers Plead for Government Intervention Amid Crisis
Damian Owusu 
Workers at the Akosombo Industrial Company Limited (AICL), formerly known as Akosombo Textiles Ltd. (ATL), are urgently calling on the government to intervene in what they describe as a deepening crisis at the once-thriving textile manufacturer. The company, located near the Akosombo Dam in Ghana’s Eastern Region, has been plagued by financial instability, mismanagement, and a dramatic decline in production capacity.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, leaders of the local chapter of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), including Chairman Stephen Nkansah and Secretary Joseph Otu Botwe, revealed that employees have gone without salaries for over six months. They cited ineffective management strategies and mounting debt as key factors behind the company’s collapse, which has left hundreds of families in economic distress.
At its peak, ATL employed over 3,000 workers and produced 36,000 metres of cloth daily. Today, the workforce has dwindled to fewer than 450 employees, and production has nearly ground to a halt. The union leaders emphasized that ATL once played a vital role in reducing unemployment across districts such as Asuogyaman, Yilo Krobo, Manya Krobo, and North Tongu. Reviving the factory, they argued, would not only restore jobs but also stimulate local economies and social development.
Despite the challenges, several foreign investors from China, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring and revitalizing the factory. However, progress on these negotiations has been slow, and workers are growing increasingly frustrated. Mr. Nkansah noted that in addition to unpaid salaries, staff are also facing delays in SSNIT contributions, pension obligations, leave allowances, long-service awards, and annual bonuses.
“It has been a very difficult time for us and our families,” Mr. Nkansah said. “We believe that a new investor can provide the necessary capital, management expertise, and fresh ideas to revive the factory and stimulate economic growth in the region.”
The union is appealing to the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry to step in and facilitate the process of securing a new investor. They believe that with the right support, ATL can once again become a beacon of industrial productivity and employment in Ghana.
As the textile sector continues to struggle nationwide, the fate of Akosombo Textiles could serve as a litmus test for Ghana’s commitment to industrial revitalization and inclusive economic growth.
