Ghana’s Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, says that the government is reviewing the auto policy to include the local assembling of trucks, bulldozers, graders and excavators.
The minister told journalists in Tema after a working visit to Zonda Tec Ghana Limited that the Ghana Automotive Development Policy (GADP) in its current form focuses on new passenger cars, sports and utility vehicles (SUVs), and light commercial vehicles.
According to the minister, the current auto policy does not cover the assembling of big trucks in the country.
“We are reviewing the auto policy to include what companies such as Zonda Tec do. I think these are the things that will encourage them to produce more and employ Ghanaians,” local media reports the minister as saying.
She disclosed the government is formulating a component manufacturing policy to encourage people to go into the manufacture of components, so that some of the vehicles that are assembled in Ghana will include parts originally made in Ghana.
The minister emphasised the importance of using locally made raw materials, such as tyres and batteries, to qualify for quota-free and duty-free trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
She assured the automotive industry of government’s support to enable companies such as Zonda Tec Ghana Limited to thrive, adding that there are plans to attract increased Chinese investment in the country.
The minster commended Zonda Tec for its commitment to skill transfer and employee development through the establishment of a training school and efforts to train these workers in China, stressing that it would help more young people to get hands-on training in the sector.
GIK/APA