GSA boss express concerns over no registered ‘Ghanaian-owned’ vehicle assembly plant
The country may be getting closer to its dream of becoming a hub for vehicle assembling plants.
This is because there are more automobile assembling firms seeking approval from the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) for their brands as well as to set up shops in Ghana.
However, the Director General of the Authority, Professor Alex Dodoo, has expressed concerns about the fact that local firms have been locked out of the enormous opportunities in the country’s automobile industry.
He added that there are about 40 GSA-certified vehicle assembling brands, but there is no Ghanaian assembly plant registered with the GSA.
He noted that the dream should be how to make money together as Ghanaian businesses in order to get a shared Ghanaian prosperity.
“Look we have assembling vehicles in Ghana, the number of brands certified will blow your mind. More than 40 different vehicles, I sign them, its more than 40. And I cry because where is the Ghanaian face, the Ghanaian money in it , so that Ghana makes money. For me I always say the Ghanaian dream should be that, how do we make money together to have a shared Ghanaian prosperity.
“Were are the angel investors, you know, we are all comfortable, we get our money, we go to bed”, he stated.
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Government in March last year, made a strong case for the passage of the Automotive Industry Bill which formally laid the platform for Ghana’s automotive industry.
The passage of the bill was done through an amendment to the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891), which provides some incentives to car manufacturers and also places a ban on the importation of salvage cars and second-hand cars of more than ten years old.
According to government, the move is aimed at making Ghana the hub for Automotive Industry in the West African sub-region.
Already, Toyota and Suzuki have formally committed to set up car assembly plants in Ghana. This was after Nissan and Sinotruk also expressed interest in Ghana, with Volkswagen already launching some locally made cars.
Currently, Ghana has three assembling plants manned by Volkswagen and Japan Motors.
Recent reports indicate that Hyundai and KIA are also planning to set up assembling plants in the country this year.
