Ghana’s leather trade seeks shield against cheap footwear imports

The Ghana Leather and Footwear Manufacturers Association (GLFMA) has urged the government to protect the local leather and footwear industry from unfair imports, according to media reports. Speaking at a recent press conference, GLFMA President Gilbert Akwasi Ntim stated that the industry, which supports thousands of families and sustains local economies, is facing deliberate and systematic economic sabotage.

According to Ntim, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) previously applied a standard 10% duty on imported raw inputs, such as synthetic rubber sheets and off-cut scrap leathers. However, the rollout of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) compounded this duty. Alongside other levies, manufacturers are now forced to pay an effective tax rate of 36.1% just to clear raw materials.

Expressing grave concern over the increasing dominance of foreign products in Ghana’s footwear market, particularly from Asia, Ntim warned that the massive influx of cheap imported footwear threatens the survival of the domestic industry.

He cited data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) showing that over 70% of footwear sold in Ghana between 2024 and 2025 was imported from China, valued at over $40 million, while Ghana’s own footwear exports remained below $1 million.

“This situation is not just a business issue; it is a national economic concern. Our local footwear industry, which has the capacity to employ thousands of people, continues to struggle,” Ntim concluded.