Kumasi Shoe Factory opens first showroom in Accra  

Defence Industries Holding Company Limited – Footwear Division (DIHOC-FD), also known as Kumasi Shoe Factory, has opened its maiden showroom in the Greater Accra Region, as it begins production of fashionable shoes for the Ghanaian market.

DIHOC-FD, one of the thirteen joint venture companies of the Defense Industries complex, under the ownership/directorship of the Ministry of Defence – Ghana and Knights Ghana Limited since its inception in 2012, has been producing security and safety boots for the security services in the country.

But in a bid to expand production, cut down on influx of inferior foreign brands on the Ghanaian market, and following its success in the security and safety boots production, DIHOC-FD has ventured into the production of fashionable footwears especially for men and children.

The footwears, according to DIHOC-FD’s board chairman – Dr. Karl Laryea, are of very high quality, made in three different technologies – vulcanised technology, cemented watered technology and stitch-down technology.

He noted further that the leather used for footwear productions are imported from India, and the rubber part from Europe – making the quality meet international standard.

Prices of the footwears range from GH¢40 to GH¢400.

Speaking to journalists at a ceremony to exhibit their products at their showroom located at the Military School of Ordinance near El-Wak Stadium, Dr. Karl Laryea said DIHOC-FD will launch footwears for women and special editions for diabetic patients next year.

“There are special shoes for diabetic patients and the soles must be changed every six months, and that can preserve your foot. We will launch that one in 2023 with the ladies’ wear; and it will be very special because we are taking our time to do something better for the market,” he said.

Support to boost production and create employment

Dr. Laryea further indicated that even though the factory has the capacity to produce seven hundred thousand pairs of shoes annually, it is currently producing one hundred thousand per annum due to production cost.

In line with this, he stressed the need for government to revive the ‘Achimota sandals policy’ and a tax relief for five years in order to help them boost production as well as employ more people to reduce the level of unemployment in the country.

“We want government to revive the ‘Achimota sandals policy’. We have all the machines to be able to produce them. We will be able to employ more workers if this policy is revived.

“Because we import the leathers from India and at times Argentina, we are asking for some tax relief for a minimum of five years so that all the leathers that will come in will be tax free. This will enable us produce the shoes at affordable prices for the school children.

“If possible, we ask the government to give us some off-taker agreement, whereby we will be able to produce for most of the security agencies for five years. This will help us to bring our workforce to about 800,” he added.