TEMA, Ghana, 15th September: President John Dramani Mahama says the expansion of vehicle assembly in Ghana must translate into practical support for key productive sectors of the economy, including agriculture, mining, construction and regional trade.
He said vehicles produced locally would play an important role in moving agricultural products from farms to markets, supporting mining operations and strengthening construction activities across the country.
President Mahama made the remarks on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during the official commissioning of Phase Three of the Zonda Tec Ghana Limited Vehicle Assembly Plant in Tema.
He said the expanded facility represented more than an increase in vehicle production capacity, describing it as part of Ghana’s broader industrial transformation.
“The vehicles that roll off this expanded plant will do far more than transport people,” President Mahama said.
“They will move agricultural products from farms to markets, support mining operations, strengthen the construction industry and facilitate regional trade.”
The expansion has increased Zonda Tec’s annual production capacity to approximately 3,000 heavy and light-duty vehicles.
President Mahama said the development would also create employment opportunities directly at the company and indirectly across sectors connected to vehicle production and distribution.
He said the automotive industry has the potential to help Ghana reduce its dependence on imported vehicles while conserving valuable foreign exchange.
The President said the government’s objective is to establish a competitive automotive industry that could supply Ghana’s domestic market while also exporting vehicles to ECOWAS and other African markets.
He noted that Africa’s vehicle market is growing rapidly, yet the continent continued to account for only a small fraction of global vehicle production.
According to President Mahama, this gap represented a major opportunity for Ghana to expand its manufacturing base.
He said the government would support investors through improved infrastructure, simplified regulatory procedures, industrial incentives and investments in technical education.
However, he urged manufacturers to reciprocate by increasing local content, transferring technology and developing Ghanaian suppliers.
President Mahama said the government particularly want automotive companies to invest in the production of components such as batteries, tyres, wiring harnesses, seats, glass, plastics and metal parts.
He explained that such local production would deepen linkages between the automotive industry and Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises.
The President also linked the development of the automotive sector to the government’s 24-Hour Economy Programme, which he said is intended to increase productivity, expand exports and create sustainable employment.
He described the Zonda Tec facility as an example of the kind of modern manufacturing activity that could help transform Ghana’s economy.
President Mahama congratulated the company’s board, management and staff on the expansion and expressed confidence that the plant would continue to grow and contribute to Ghana’s industrial development.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭