The Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr K.T. Hammond, has urged government agencies, as well as the general public to purchase locally assembled vehicles to help local firms scale up production, generate revenue and create more job opportunities for citizens.
He made the remarks when he visited the Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Plant as part of his familiarisation tour of the Tema Free Zones enclave on Saturday.
The company assembles Toyota Hilux and Suzuki vehicles, with a daily production capacity of four vehicles.
The company was commissioned by President Akufo-Addo in June 2021 and currently employs about 58 Ghanaians. It has, since its commissioning, produced 600 Toyota Hilux and 100 Suzuki vehicles.
In an interview, Mr Hammond expressed satisfaction at the degree of investment and the job prospects it had given to about 58 Ghanaian workers.
The Minister also visited the Nissan Assembling Plant in Tema, which produces Nissan, Foton and Peugeot vehicles. It can produce 3000 vehicles annually. It currently has 59 employees and produces three vehicles daily.
In related news, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, President Akufo-Addo will officially open the Rana Motors and Metal Engineering Ltd Assembly Plant in Amasaman in the Ga West Municipality, Greater Accra.
The factory will launch the first generation of KIA cars made in Ghana. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of KIA automobiles, KIA Motor Corporation of Korea, will produce, certify and trade the vehicles in the global market.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
