Equal Incentives Will Be Given To Local Automobile Firms - Bawumia

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said government will ensure that both local and international automobile companies operating in Ghana, will be given equal incentives to enhance their operations.

He disclosed that international car manufacturing company; Nissan Motor Co. Ltd , has also announced plans to set up an assembly plant in Ghana.

“We have had discussions for example with our local producers like Kantanka to make sure that whatever incentives we are providing to all companies who are becoming interested in our automobile industry like the Nissans and VWs, are also available to the Kantankas of Ghana so that they can also produce with those same types of incentives,” he added when he spoke at the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition in Accra on Tuesday.

He said opening up the automobile industry forms part of government's agenda to boost the economy through industrialization.

“We have added the automobile industry into our key initiatives to move the industrial transformation of this country but people were doubting. I tell you we have received a massive response from the private sector after we send the strong signal of industrializing the economy,” he added.

German car manufacturer, Volkswagen and Sinotruk International from China have all served notice of setting up assembly plants in Ghana.

As a result, there had been concerns about government’s lack of support for Katanka Automobile Company, which is an indigenous firm.

We're not scared of competition – Kantanka

Following the announcement of international automobile companies setting up in Ghana, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kantanka Automobile Company, Kwadwo Safo Jnr. says his company is not scared of competition from any international automobile firm seeking to set up in Ghana.

CEO of Kantanka automobile
“Mr. President. [The] Only thing we need is good policies to protect the automobile industry and help grow our local industries …To anyone that thinks @KantankaAuto is scared of competition. We are not. I simply want better policies for our auto industry,” he stated