Norway’s Minister of International Development, Mr. Åsmund Aukrust, recently paid an official visit to the headquarters of Miniplast Ltd. in Accra.
Accompanying the Minister was a high-level delegation, including the Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana and representatives from Norfund – an instrumental investor in Miniplast since 2023.
During the visit, Minister Aukrust highlighted Norfund’s impactful investment in Miniplast, stating, “This investment is a prime example of achieving multiple objectives simultaneously. It demonstrates how private sector initiatives can tackle significant environmental challenges while generating employment and empowering women – all key priorities for Norway.”
Norfund’s support has significantly contributed to job creation and gender equality at Miniplast. Since 2023, the company has created 700 new jobs and tripled its proportion of female employees. All staff enjoy permanent employment, along with social benefits such as a provident fund and school fee grants.
As Miniplast’s CEO, Mr. Nadim Ghanem Jr., explained, by the end of 2023, the company employed 980 workers – 909 men and 71 women. Today, the workforce has grown to 1,700 employees, with over 500 women now contributing to the team.
The Minister and his delegation toured Miniplast’s factory, focusing on the plastic waste pre-processing operations and the recycling unit, which diverts 1,500 tonnes of plastic waste monthly from the environment. They also interacted with employees to better understand the production processes and working conditions.
“Plastic recycling is essential for both the Ghanaian economy and the environment,” remarked Mr. Ghanem. “However, its long-term sustainability in Ghana and across Africa hinges on its economic viability.” Miniplast exemplifies how an industrial company can generate meaningful social and environmental impact while remaining profitable.
Miniplast extends heartfelt gratitude to the Norwegian Ministry of International Development and Norfund for their unwavering support. “We hope Minister Aukrust and his team enjoyed their visit to Miniplast. Akwaaba – you are always welcome!”.
