Ghanaian-Based Factory Manufactures Barges for Volta Lake Transport
A Ghana-based factory is producing barges intended to transport goods along the Volta Lake from Akosombo to Buipe, President John Dramani Mahama has announced, pointing to the range of industrial activities emerging under the government’s manufacturing drive.
The President made the announcement during a tour of the Bright International Industrial Zone in Afienya, where he visited manufacturing enterprises involved in textiles and garments, battery production, solar energy, truck assembly and steel fabrication.
“From here, we are going to see a factory that is producing barges, which will be put on the Volta Lake to transport items from Akosombo up to the North, to Buipe,” he stated.
The proposed use of the barges is intended to support the movement of goods along the Volta Lake, connecting Akosombo with Buipe in the north. The President’s remarks drew attention to the role local manufacturing can play in supporting transport and other economic activities.
During the tour, President Mahama also visited Huaguang Battery (GHANA), Qianfeng International Corporation Limited, which produces sports vests and caps, Jiudine Ghana Corporation, which manufactures T-shirts and sweaters, Zema New Energy, which produces solar panels and batteries, and Funsheen Truck Assembly Plant.
He said the growth in the number of factories since his previous visit showed that industrial activity was expanding and creating employment opportunities for young people.
“This is what we talk about when we say the 24-hour economy. It is beginning to show the job creation aspect of it, and we’ve seen a lot of young people who have found work and are working in shifts,” he said.
The President added that the government was working to address electricity supply challenges in the industrial zone. He said the Energy Minister and GRIDCo had assured him that the transformer serving the area would be changed within three weeks to provide more reliable power for factory operations.
President Mahama also announced plans to launch the New Economy Programme in 2027, with US$2 billion to be invested annually in sectors with strong job-creation potential, including agriculture, irrigation, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and tourism.
He congratulated entrepreneurs operating in the industrial zone and said the government wanted Ghana to become a hub for production and distribution across Africa.
The factory producing barges adds to the range of manufacturing activities the President identified during the tour, as the government seeks to expand local production, create jobs and support economic activity through industrial development.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
