GIHOC distilleries to be revamped by Government
Government
has disclosed plans to revamp the Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC)
Distilleries to increase its operational capacity, while creating employment
opportunities and export in support of the 24-hour economy initiative.
The
Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare,
disclosed this during a familiarization tour tour to gain first-hand insights
into the operations, challenges,
and opportunities the company faced, while fostering collaboration to support
the government's industrialization agenda.
The visit is also part of her broader
efforts to strengthen partnerships between the government and key stakeholders,
ensuring the successful implementation of Ghana’s “24-hour economy” flagship
program.
The Chief
Exercutive Officer, Mr.Jones Borteye Applerh and the Technical Manager, Mr. Daniel
Odame took the Minister through the various stages of production explaining to
her in detail the work of the each production line and the current challenges
of the production machines which were purchased more than five decades.
The CEO disclosed
to the Minister that GIHOC was established in 1958 as a wholly-state owned
entity. It is currently saddled with debts and old machinery, despite having
adequate human resources to run its operations.
He also revealed that the company is operating between
60-65 percent due to the poor state of the machines.
The Hon.
Minister after her assessment, promised to provide the needed assistance to GIHOC
to increase its production capacity. She said the Ministry of Trade,
Agribusiness and Industry would support the promotion of various products of
the company, particularly on the international market, while ensuring
availability of raw materials.
“The
good thing about GIHOC is that they have quality products that are respected
within and out of the country. So, once we know the health, whatever it takes –
financing, machinery and labour, we will
be able to do all of that because we hope to use GIHOC to employ a lot of
people,” she said.
“In
order for them to take advantage of the 24-hour economy and run three shifts,
and more importantly, also take advantage of the international trade agreements
we have like AfCFTA, UK and EU markets, we should be able to retool the place”
she said.
The Hon.
Minister also as part of her tour visited the Ghana Free Zones Authority and the
Ghana Enterprises Agency where she was briefed
At the Ghana Free Zones
Authority, the Minister was briefed on the role of free zones in
attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and boosting industrialization.
She
reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving infrastructure and
regulatory frameworks to ensure the success of free zones as hubs for
industrial growth and exports.
Hon. Minister underscored the need
for continued cooperation from the CEOs of these institutions to meet the
ambitious targets of the “24-hour economy” initiative.
This program aims to
increase industrial output, create jobs, and enhance productivity by ensuring
round-the-clock operations in key sectors.
At the Ghana Enterprise
Agency, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare highlighted the critical role of small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in driving entrepreneurship, innovation, and
economic resilience.
She urged the agency to continue supporting local
businesses through access to finance, training, and infrastructure, which are
essential for achieving a diversified economy.
The Minister concluded by
stressing that collective efforts from the government, businesses, and key
institutions are essential for the success of Ghana’s industrialization
strategy, paving the way for the nation's economic transformation.
