We have ‘shamed’ the doubting Thomases – Prez Akufo-Addo unveils first VW-assembled car in Ghana

Akufo-Addo said assembling vehicles in Ghana will in the long run reduce its reliance on the importation of 'used-vehicles'

We have ‘shamed’ the doubting Thomases – Prez  Akufo-Addo unveils first VW-assembled car in Ghana
Akufo-Addo

Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo Dankwa on Monday, August 3 2020, unveiled the first VW-assembled car in Ghana.

The event was held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.

The President in his speech said, contrary to criticisms about the feasibility of the venture, his government has proven a point by successfully facilitating the  home-grown project.

“There were many who expressed doubts about the feasibility of such an assembly plant being established in Ghana. And there were those who for narrow partisan-consideration described the announcement as nothing but a hoax, which will never see the light of day.”

“Two years on, we have confounded the doubting Thomases, and I am happy to launch officially the first Volkswagen vehicle that has been assembled in our country’

President Akufo-Addo said assembling vehicles in Ghana, will reduce the country’s overall reliance on importation of used vehicles.

 

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This he said "will create jobs, reduce a high amount of foreign exchange used in the importation of second-hand vehicles, thereby help strengthening the Ghanaian currency, whiles in the same time earn the nation foreign exchange through the exportation of made-in-Ghana goods”

He noted that, the Akufo-Addo government will do everything possible to ensure VW succeeds in Ghana and assured the public that many more foreign companies are eager to set up assembling plants in Ghana.

"We have put all doubting Thomases to bed and before the 2016 elections we promised to improve the economy by channelling some of our energy into the automobile sector and that is what we have done. We want to do much of assembling which will reduce importation of second-hand vehicles and this will also go a long way to reduce unemployment. I assure VW that the government will support them in all spheres of their work. Other automobile companies who have intentions of setting up plants will soon follow the footsteps of VW. Gov't will continue to do it all it can to attract local and international automobile companies. I am confident that Ghana is on the cast of a bold new beginning. This is the first and many more to come, the government is bent on developing the country again."

In March this year, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyeremanten, visited the assembling plant of Volkswagen (VW) at the North Industrial Area in Accra, to have first-hand insight regarding the ongoing work of the automobile giant.

Accompanied by some officials of the Trade Ministry, Mr Kyeremanten expressed satisfaction with the facility of VW.