President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated Phase III of the Zonda Tec Ghana Assembly Plant in Tema, expanding the company’s vehicle production operations as Ghana seeks to deepen local manufacturing.
Speaking at the commissioning on Tuesday, September 15, Mahama said Ghana must increase domestic production and reduce its reliance on imported goods.
He said the expansion by Zonda Tec demonstrated the role private investment could play in creating jobs, developing skills and increasing local value addition.
Mahama described Zonda Tec’s growth from a vehicle distributor into an automotive assembly company as a “remarkable Ghanaian success story”. The company began operations in Ghana in 2010.
The President, however, said Ghana’s automotive ambitions should extend beyond the assembly of vehicles using imported components.
Mahama calls for local production of vehicle components
Mahama urged Zonda Tec to increase the local production of automotive components, including batteries, tyres, wiring harnesses, seats, glass, plastics and metal parts.
He said greater local production of components would strengthen the domestic automotive supply chain and create opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to participate in the industry.
Mahama also linked the development of the automotive sector to Ghana’s potential in electric mobility, citing the country’s lithium resources and renewable energy capacity.
“From minerals to batteries, from batteries to vehicles, from vehicles to exports, all proudly made in Ghana,” he said.
The government, he said, wants to develop an automotive industry that can serve the domestic market while building capacity to export vehicles and components.
Mahama seeks longer-term vehicle financing
Mahama also called on banks and other financial institutions to provide longer-term financing for locally assembled vehicles.
He said financing arrangements could make it easier for salaried workers, including teachers, nurses and doctors, to purchase vehicles and repay the cost over an extended period.
He said stronger access to financing would also help create demand for vehicles assembled in Ghana.
The President further highlighted skills development as an important part of the country’s automotive strategy and pointed to training initiatives aimed at preparing young Ghanaians for jobs in the sector.
Zonda Tec Chief Executive Officer Yang Yang said separately that the new plant has a minimum annual production capacity of 12,000 vehicles.
She said the company currently employs more than 800 skilled Ghanaians, with the expansion expected to support additional opportunities across the automotive value chain.
