By Sankofaonline Editorial Desk
Shama Emerges as a Symbol of Ghana’s Industrial Renaissance
In the quiet coastal district of Shama in Ghana’s Western Region, a remarkable economic transformation is unfolding, one that is steadily reshaping global perceptions of Ghanaian manufacturing.
For decades, African economies were defined by the export of raw materials and a heavy dependence on imported finished goods. That narrative is rapidly changing. Today, floor tiles engineered and manufactured in Ghana are not only meeting domestic demand but are also being shipped across continents to markets in the United States, Italy, France, Mexico, Peru, and Brazil.
This is not a future ambition or a political slogan. It is happening now.
Keda Ceramics Puts “Made in Ghana” on the Global Map
At the center of this industrial success story is Keda Ceramics, whose state-of-the-art facility in Shama operates at an impressive daily capacity of 200,000 square meters of tiles.
With exports reaching more than 20 countries, the company has demonstrated that when world-class engineering, massive production scale, and uncompromising quality come together, products made in Ghana can compete successfully in some of the world’s most demanding markets.
The 24-Hour Economy: The Engine Behind Ghana’s Manufacturing Ambitions
The export success of Keda Ceramics has become a powerful proof of concept for President John Dramani Mahama’s Resetting Ghana agenda and its flagship 24-Hour Economy policy.
At its core, the policy seeks to move Ghana beyond a low-productivity, daylight-only economic model and transform it into a modern, round-the-clock manufacturing and export hub. By maximizing factory utilization, enabling continuous shift work, and strengthening supply-chain logistics, industrial facilities such as the Shama complex are illustrating what becomes possible when a country prioritizes production over consumption.
A $250 Million Float Glass Project Set to End Import Dependence
The momentum gained another significant boost on February 24, 2026, when President Mahama officially broke ground for a $250 million float glass manufacturing plant in Shama.
Scheduled to commence operations in August 2027, the facility is expected to tackle one of Ghana’s most expensive import dependencies. Ghana currently imports approximately 65,000 tons of glass annually.
Once completed, the new plant is expected to eliminate that reliance, preserve valuable foreign exchange reserves, generate nearly $100 million in annual export earnings, and create thousands of direct employment opportunities for young Ghanaians.
Industrialization Driving Revenue, Jobs, and Infrastructure Development
The benefits extend well beyond import substitution and export revenues.
Large-scale industrialization provides governments with the sustainable tax base needed to finance critical national development without excessive dependence on foreign borrowing. In 2025 alone, Keda Ceramics contributed an impressive GH¢740 million in taxes to the Ghana Revenue Authority.
When the float glass facility reaches full production capacity, annual tax contributions from the wider Shama industrial complex are projected to exceed GH¢1 billion. Those revenues can help fund essential infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, roads, and community development projects across the country.
What Shama’s Success Means for Ghana and the African Diaspora
For members of the Ghanaian diaspora and observers of Africa’s economic transformation, the message emerging from Shama is clear and unmistakable.
Ghana is steadily shedding its image as a passive consumer within the global supply chain. Through strategic policy reforms, committed leadership, and continuous 24-hour industrial production, the country is positioning itself as an increasingly influential manufacturing center.
When tiles produced in Shama find their place in buildings across Rome, Paris, and New York, they represent far more than commercial success. They symbolize a nation reclaiming its productive capacity, expanding its industrial footprint, and confidently asserting its economic independence on the global stage.
