The Minister for Trade, Industry, and Agribusiness, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, visited the Zonda-Tech Ghana Limited assembly plant in Tema to familiarize herself with the company’s operations and discuss strategies to enhance the local automotive industry. During her visit, she commended Zonda-Tech for its significant contributions to Ghana’s industrialization, particularly in the heavy-duty vehicle sector.
The Minister emphasized the importance of investing in local technicians through overseas training programs and advocated for sourcing local components to bolster the domestic supply chain. By doing so, Zonda-Tech can strengthen its competitiveness and capitalize on opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by meeting the necessary rules of origin requirements. This move aligns with the government’s objectives to promote local manufacturing and reduce import dependency.
Zonda-Tech Ghana Limited has already shown commitment to skills transfer and employee development through the establishment of a training school. The company trains Ghanaian employees in the assembly of heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, graders, excavators, and trucks, with Chinese engineers providing on-site training and sending some workers to China for further training. The Minister commended this initiative, highlighting its potential to create more jobs for Ghanaians and contribute to the country’s industrialization agenda.
The visit underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for the growth of the automotive sector in Ghana. By encouraging investments in human capital development and local sourcing, the Ministry aims to build a robust and self-sustaining automotive industry that can effectively participate in regional trade agreements like the AfCFTA. This strategic approach to industrial development focuses on capacity building and local content utilization, driving Ghana’s agenda of industrialization and economic integration within the African continent.
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