President Mahama Commissions Zonda Tec Assembly Plant Amidst Major Industrial and Energy Investments

President John Mahama has officially inaugurated Zonda Tec Ghana Limited's newest vehicle assembly plant, marking a significant milestone for the nation's automotive industry. During the commissioning ceremony, which included Minister for Trade Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and Zonda Tec CEO Madam Yang Yang, it was revealed that the facility is set to become the first assembler of Chery vehicles in Africa. This development is expected to drive local job creation and enhance technical skills development, reinforcing Ghana's position as a burgeoning industrial hub in the sub-region.

Complementing this industrial expansion, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced a $39.5 million financing package for LMI Holdings to support the first phase of a massive solar project at the Dawa Industrial Zone. This funding represents the second tranche of a $100 million facility dedicated to the 'Solar for Industries' program, which aims to establish 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2032. The current 100-megawatt peak solar photovoltaic project is projected to create 250 direct jobs during construction and significantly lower energy costs for industrial tenants, thereby boosting national competitiveness.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the automotive and manufacturing sectors, experts are calling for enhanced domestic engineering support. Dr. Andrew Nyamful, Head of the Mechanical Workshop at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, has urged the government to complete and operationalize the Commission’s abandoned foundry and CNC machine tooling centre. Dr. Nyamful emphasized that such a facility is crucial for manufacturing vehicle engines and spare parts locally, reducing the reliance on expensive imports and providing a solid foundation for the factories currently being commissioned.

On the logistics front, the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) is working to improve the efficiency of urban movement for the workforce through a new contra-flow system for Aayalolo buses. In collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, GAPTE is conducting feasibility studies on the Kinbu-Adenta corridor. Managing Director Daouda Awudu reported that early trials of the system—which allows buses to utilize unused lanes against the standard flow of traffic—reduced journey times from nearly two hours to just 45 minutes. These combined efforts in manufacturing, renewable energy, and transport infrastructure signal a comprehensive approach to modernizing Ghana's industrial economy.