Gov’t to provide incentives for auto makers …as trade, nance ministries to engage on Customs Act

producer of “Assembled-in-Ghana” global vehicle brands.

He believes the investments in the automotive industry, if harnessed properly, will enable assemblers such as Rana Motors and emerging component manufacturers to easily connect to regional markets and supply chains in West Africa and across Africa under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

By Eugene Davies

termined we change route and we do so by way of industrialisation. Our industrialisation is done on the back of the automobile industry,” he added.

In order to further the government's agenda for economic growth, skill development, job creation, and export diversi cation, K. T. Hammond urged the company to continue working with the government to create a modern automotive sector. Assembly plants market.”

According to him, measures are being undertaken to complete stakeholder engagement under Ghana’s proposed Components Manufacturing Policy.

“We are targeting policy support to the private sector to invest in the local manufacturing of compo- nents and parts, starting with low-hanging fruits such as electric harnesses and wires, rubber extrusion parts, air and oil lters, lead acid batteries, shock absorbers, exhaust systems, steel wheel rims, brake system components, windscreens, and wiper blades,” he said.

Milestone

Additionally, Mr Hammond disclosed that the start of commercial production in the facility signi es yet another milestone along Ghana’s ambitious journey to become the foremost automobile assembly and components manufacturing hub in West Africa and a bona de

“This will open up very signicant and sustainable opportunities for job seekers, distributors, suppliers, small-scale industries as well as repair and maintenance service providers nationwide, as is the case in other modern hubs of the African Auto Industry, represented mainly by Morocco, Eqypt and South Africa but now featuring Ghana, prominently as the new kid on the block,” he pointed out.

The Trade Minister also noted that the development is evidence Ghana is on its way to a revolutionary development in terms of the automobile industry.

“President Akufo-Addo is de-

The Rana Motors’ plant becomes the third vehicle assembly plant established for the commercial production of global brands in Ghana.

In addition to Kantanka Automobile Limited, Ghana now has ve new assembly plants producing nine brands of vehicles, namely VW, Toyota, Suzuki, Nissan, Peugeot, Hyundai, Changan, ZX Auto and now KIA.

President Nana Akufo-Addo’s steadfast commitment and support for the implementation of programmes under the Ghana Automotive Development Policy was approved by Cabinet in October 2019 to create a fully integrated automobile manufacturing hub in Ghana, barely two years after he assumed o ce.