The Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (STCCI) has announced that the Chamber is looking for an investor to partner in the establishment an Activated Carbon Production Facility in the Western Region.
“We are suggesting to the Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Sugandhi Rajaram, that we are looking for a partner to establish the facility; the basic raw material used is coconut husk or coconut fibre, which is in abundance in the Western Region and across the country,” said Mr. Kwaku Ennin, Chief Executive Officer of Zeal Environmental Technologies Limited and Snr. Vice President of STCCI.
“If we have this in-country facility it will help cut down operating cost, since the mining companies, breweries, water company and other industrial concerns also use activated carbon,” he said.
Mr. Ennin said this when the Indian High Commissioner paid a visit to the STCCI office at Anaji, a suburb in Takoradi.
He explained: “The activated carbon is a valuable raw material that can be produced locally, but we do not have the technology,” he said.
He pointed out that the activated carbon used by companies in the country is mostly from India and the United States.
“Setting up an activated carbon facility will create job opportunities for the youth; if the youth are gainfully employed, social vices become a thing of the past,” he noted.
Again, Mr. Ennin suggested that since India is world power when it comes to Information Communication Technology, it should consider setting up a Data Management Facility in Takoradi.
This, according to him, will create one million jobs for the youth; especially those who are interested in ICT.
“What we lack is technology and requisite equipment, and we hope through this engagement there is going to be a lot of business opportunities for Ghanaians,” he added.
Mr. Sugandhi Rajaram, Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, reacting to the suggestion mentioned: “Our intention is to facilitate value addition and not only trade missions”.
He encouraged businesses within the region to come out with good business proposals that will attract investors into the region and country at large.
“If members of STCCI have goods for export, you can email to our commercial section as we have a team who will work on your requirements for mutual benefit of the two countries,” he said.
He said there will be a database for Indian companies which want to do business in Ghana, and the same if Ghanaians want to do business in India.
“We in India fully support President Akufo-Addo’s ‘Ghana beyond aid’ initiative and we hope Ghana becomes self-sufficient.”
Eugene Ofori-Atta, President of STCCI, lauded the Indian High Commissioner for interacting with the Chamber’s executives and members.
He was assured that, “Through this visit, there will be a lot of business opportunities for companies that want to venture into the Indian market”.
