President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officially inaugurated phase two of Zonda Tec Ghana’s Sinotruk Assembly Plant located at Kpone in the Greater Accra Region.
The project is the culmination of a tripartite agreement by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, China’s heavy-duty vehicle trading company Zonda Tec Ghana and manufacturing company Sinotruk to build a heavy-duty vehicle assembly plant in Ghana. Zonda is investing US$30 million into the plant. The inauguration marks the commencement of commercial assembling of heavy and light vehicles in the country.
At the event, the President Akufo-Addo simultaneously laid the foundation for the forthcoming third phase of the Sinotruk project, which, upon completion, will establish Sinotruk Ghana Limited as a fully integrated automobile manufacturer.
Inaugurating the plant, President Akufo-Addo commended the partners for their commitment to making Ghana a major hub for heavy-duty trucks in West Africa, saying that the collaboration demonstrates how notable players are taking advantage of the government’s One District – One Factory initiative to transition from imports to manufacturing.
Akufo-Addo also lauded the companies for establishing a state-of-the-art training centre to train artisans to apply appropriate technology and skills to build their capacities in assembly processes, repair and maintenance.
“When I first visited the Kpone-Katamanso Plant on Thursday, 30th August 2020, I recall how impressed I was with the effort to develop this facility for the assembly of heavy-duty and light trucks in Ghana for the domestic and regional market. I also recall the promise made to me by Madam Yang Yang, the dynamic and hardworking Managing Director of Zonda Tec Ghana, that she, together with her partners, are committed to building a world class facility in Ghana to assemble heavy-duty trucks for the West African market.
“My government is not oblivious of the challenges confronting manufacturing. I am convinced that our progress in restoring macroeconomic stability and our determination to return to growth will benefit the private sector in manufacturing and commerce,” the President said.
The new plant is expected to assemble more than 3,000 heavy-duty and light-duty trucks, including tipper trucks, wheel loaders, backhoes, trailers, semi-trailers and oil tankers annually.
It will also employ at least 200 more crew members and create more indirect employment opportunities.
Yang Yang, the Managing Director of Zonda, said the decision to shift from trade to industrialization is a pivotal step in building a self-sustaining ecosystem for society.
“The Zonda Tec’s Sinotruk Assembly Plant is not just about vehicles; it is about shaping the future of Ghana. It creates jobs, imparts valuable skills and adds revenue to Ghana’s economy,” Yang said.
According to her, Zonda products have earned the trust of notable customers, including the Ghana Bauxite Company, Ghana Manganese Company, some leading players in the construction industry and petroleum haulage companies.
