By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The Automobile Assemblers Association of Ghana (AAAG) has expressed its readiness to support government’s proposed 24-Hour Economy policy, underscoring the industry’s potential to drive economic transformation.
Speaking at the Ghana Automotive Summit 2025, president-AAAG and Chief Executive Officer-Volkswagen Ghana, Jeffrey Oppong Peprah, emphasised the automobile industry’s pivotal role in advancing industrialisation and economic growth, urging government to fully implement its ‘Automotive Policy’ and fast-track the ‘component policy’ to unlock full sector potential.
He added that vehicle manufacturers and service providers remain committed to delivering affordable mobility solutions – including two-wheelers (2W), three-wheelers (3W), four-wheelers (4W) and Vehicle Asset Financing (VAF).
“There is a strong appetite for the auto sector, not only in Ghana but across Africa. Producing locally, manufacturing components and supplying markets in the sub-region will create big investments and job opportunities for the youth, both skilled and unskilled, which money will also be spent in the local economy,” he said.
Mr. Preprah further urged government to ensure implementation of auto policies, stressing that a coordinated strategy is essential for full realisation of the sector’s growth as a regional hub.
“A clear and coordinated strategy is essential if we are to build a thriving industry capable of serving not just Ghana, but the entire West African region…With the right policy framework in place, Ghana can emerge as a true automotive hub for the sub-region.”
Former CEO-African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), Dave Coffey, addressed the summit on ‘The Future of the Automotive Industry in Africa and Ghana: Vehicle and Component Manufacturing’ and highlighted Ghana’s significant industrialisation prospects, stating that: “Ghana has come so far. A structured, inclusive and supported roadmap is essential to sustain progress”.
Representing President John Dramani Mahama, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah assured local assemblers of government’s dedication to implementing the automotive policy and providing additional incentives to foster industry expansion.
“The president has asked me to assure you that government will support the transformation of Ghana’s automotive sector into a West African hub for production export. President Mahama believes in the private sector and entrepreneurs and his doors remain open for collaboration,” he said.
He encouraged assemblers to broaden their vision beyond Ghana and capitalise on opportunities within the West African sub-region.
The annual summit brought together key industry players, policymakers and international investors to discuss the future of Ghana’s automotive industry and the strategic role it can play in national industrial transformation.
Ghana Automotive Development Policy
The Ghana Automotive Development Policy (GADP), introduced in 2019, has opened the space for domestic auto assembly. To date, nine major assembly plants have been established. However, while production capacity continues to grow, consumer-level uptake remains sluggish due to financing challenges.
The vision is to make Ghana a fully integrated and competitive industrial hub for the Automotive Industry in the West Africa sub-region.
The assemblers want government to enforce a ban on importation of used vehicles older than 10 years; implementation of a 35 percent import duty on used vehicles aged between one and five years; and application of the Ghana Standards Authority’s homologation standards to all imported vehicles.
