In a trend that has continued with high-ranking political leaders in Ghana for decades, President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday forget the stellar efforts of local vehicle manufacturer Kantanka to create a vehicle assembling process in Ghana, but had great recommendations for Japanese auto giant, Toyota.
In an act that can only be described a ringing declaration of lack of faith in local industry, Mr. Akufo-Addo totally forgot about Kantanka, which has been assembling vehicles in Ghana for well over a decade, but remembered Toyota in the State of the Nation Address in parliament yesterday.
He said; “Mr. Speaker, the other initiative aimed at stimulating industrial growth that we have been actively promoting is automotive assembly and component manufacturing. It is universally recognized as a key strategic sector for stimulating industrial transformation. The comprehensive Automotive Development Policy, launched by Government in August, 2019, has undoubtedly been the catalyst that has attracted a record number of twelve (12) Original Equipment Manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Toyota, Suzuki, Nissan, Peugeot, KIA, Hyundai, Honda to set up assembly plants, and produce a range of models here in Ghana.
“Mr. Speaker, it is noteworthy that these investments have been accompanied with complimentary initiatives to build the necessary engineering and technical skills in Ghana. Toyota Ghana has partnered the School of Engineering Sciences of the University of Ghana to establish and operate a modern Auto Engineering Training Centre for engineering students and the industry to acquire applied auto engineering training. Similarly, KIA Motor Company of Korea has upgraded the Rana Motors West African Vehicle Academy (WAVA), with state-of-the-art equipment for training of auto repair and maintenance technicians, including repair and maintenance of Electric Vehicles.”
The sad aspect to this development, is that many Ghanaians are currently making valiant efforts to create local technology and industry to compete with what is known internationally.
Over the long term, this is the nation’s only hope.
