Ghana, Slovakia explore vehicle assembly plant to create jobs
Ghana and Slovakia are exploring a partnership to establish a vehicle assembly plant in Ghana as part of efforts to deepen bilateral economic relations, promote local manufacturing and create employment opportunities.
The proposal was discussed when Slovakia’s Ambassador-designate to Ghana, Martin Podstavek, met the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in Accra on Monday, to present his Open Letters.
The proposed assembly plant is expected to create opportunities for skills development, technology transfer and the participation of Ghanaian suppliers in the automotive value chain.
As part of efforts to advance the discussions, Slovakia will host a Ghana–Slovakia business forum within the next two weeks, with particular focus on the automotive, banking and pharmaceutical sectors.
The forum is expected to provide a platform for businesses and investors from both countries to explore partnerships and identify areas for mutually beneficial investments.
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana was interested in moving beyond the supply of buses to developing local capacity for vehicle production.
“We want the business forum to move the discussion from supplying buses to what we can build in Ghana. A vehicle assembly plant could create jobs, develop technical skills and open up opportunities for Ghanaian suppliers,” he said.
The proposed partnership forms part of Ghana’s broader efforts to attract investment into local industries, strengthen its manufacturing base and expand opportunities for employment.
Mr Podstavek was among four non-resident Ambassadors-designate received by the Foreign Affairs Minister on Monday. The others were Sweden’s Anna Westerholm, Finland’s Sanna Selin and Thailand’s Thirapath Mongkolnavin.
The engagements also explored opportunities to expand cooperation in other sectors, including railway construction, artificial intelligence, technical education, agriculture, fisheries and trade.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
