TEMA, Ghana, 15th September: President John Dramani Mahama says the expansion of the Zonda Tec Ghana Limited vehicle assembly plant in Tema is expected to almost double the company’s direct employment while creating about 1,000 additional indirect jobs.
He said the jobs would be generated across logistics, vehicle maintenance, component supply, distribution and other activities linked to the automotive industry.
President Mahama made the announcement on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during the official commissioning of Phase Three of the Zonda Tec Ghana Limited Vehicle Assembly Plant.
The expansion increases Zonda Tec’s annual production capacity to approximately 3,000 heavy and light-duty vehicles, further strengthening the company’s position as one of Ghana’s major vehicle assembly companies.
President Mahama described the investment as tangible evidence of progress in Ghana’s industrialisation drive.
“Facilities such as these are tangible evidence of national progress. They represent confidence in our economy, faith in our people’s abilities, and a commitment to creating decent jobs for present and future generations,” he said.
The President said the investment demonstrated that Ghana could create jobs and generate economic value by producing goods locally rather than relying heavily on imports.
He linked the development to the vision of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who championed industrial self-reliance as a foundation for meaningful political independence.
President Mahama praised Zonda Tec founder Madam Yang Yang for transforming the company from a vehicle distribution business established in 2010 into a major assembler of heavy-duty vehicles, SUVs, passenger vehicles and light trucks.
He said the company’s growth had been driven by determination, strategic partnerships and continuous investment.
The President also commended Zonda Tec for establishing the Zonda Tec Academy to train young Ghanaians in automotive skills.
He further praised the company’s foundation for supporting young people through scholarships to study automotive manufacturing in China.
According to him, such investments in skills development are critical to ensuring that Ghanaian workers benefited from the expansion of the automotive industry.
President Mahama said the automotive sector has the potential to become a major pillar of Ghana’s economic transformation, particularly as the country seeks to reduce dependence on imported vehicles, conserve foreign exchange and expand exports.
He noted that the global automotive industry is valued at approximately US$2.6 trillion, with global vehicle production reaching about 96.4 million units in 2025.
Africa, however, continues to account for barely one per cent of global vehicle production despite its large population.
President Mahama said this presented a major opportunity for Ghana to position itself as a manufacturing and export hub for the West African and wider African markets.
He said the government would continue to support investors by improving infrastructure, simplifying regulatory procedures, strengthening industrial incentives and investing in technical education and workforce development.
In return, he urged manufacturers to deepen localisation, expand technology transfer and develop Ghanaian suppliers.
The President said the government’s automotive strategy is aligned with the broader 24-Hour Economy Programme, which seeks to increase production, expand exports and create more opportunities for young people.
“The 24-Hour Economy is not merely a slogan. It is taking shape factory by factory and factory floor by factory floor,” he said.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭