In a significant step forward in Ghana’s quest for industrialisation and regional integration, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo today inaugurated the GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant in Tema.
President Akufo-Addo hailed the event as a “proud milestone in Ghana’s journey towards industrialisation and regional integration,” emphasizing the plant’s critical role in boosting infrastructure development and promoting sustainable industrial growth.
The facility is a result of growing cooperation between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, reflecting their shared commitment to mutual prosperity and development within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“This state-of-the-art facility, built through a strategic partnership between Ghana’s GOIL PLC and Côte d’Ivoire’s Société Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB), is the largest bitumen processing plant in the country.
“This $40 million project will not only help us meet the growing demand for bitumen products domestically, but also position Ghana as a key exporter to the West African region.”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
The commissioning ceremony, held in Tema, was attended by high-profile officials, including His Excellency Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, who represented President Alassane Ouattara.
President Akufo-Addo underscored the significance of the joint venture as a testament to the strong bonds between the two nations. “This partnership is a shining example of what can be achieved through strategic collaboration and innovation within our region,” the president said, noting the project as a symbol of regional cooperation under the ECOWAS framework.
The plant’s commissioning underscores a new era of bilateral cooperation between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrating how shared expertise and resources can foster economic growth across borders.
Both nations, being major players in the region, have increasingly aligned their industrial policies, particularly in sectors like energy, infrastructure, and trade, to achieve common goals of regional prosperity.
Game-Changer for Ghana’s Infrastructure and Export Potential
The GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant is expected to be a game-changer for Ghana’s road construction sector, with the capacity to produce high-quality bituminous products such as polymer modified bitumen and bitumen emulsions.
These products are essential for the construction and maintenance of durable roads, offering enhanced sustainability for infrastructure projects across the country.
“With this new bitumen plant, Ghana can now produce the materials needed for road construction domestically,” President Akufo-Addo explained, noting that the plant’s output will cater to both local and regional markets.
The ability to meet growing domestic demand, while also exploring export opportunities within West Africa, will make Ghana a key player in the regional bitumen market. This aligns with the government’s broader ambition to diversify its economy and strengthen its industrial base.
Moreover, President Akufo-Addo highlighted that the plant is expected to create jobs, stimulate technological advancements, and contribute to foreign exchange earnings for the country.
The production of bitumen and related products at the facility will not only enhance the country’s self-reliance in infrastructure development but also open up new economic opportunities that will benefit the nation as a whole.
Boosting Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the broader implications of the project, stressing how it fits into Ghana’s long-term vision of becoming a leader in industrialisation within West Africa.
“Together with our partners in Côte d’Ivoire, we are proving that regional cooperation within ECOWAS can drive sustainable industrial growth and improve the quality of life for our people.”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism that the partnership between GOIL and SMB would inspire similar collaborations between other West African nations, paving the way for regional economic integration.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the successful completion of the project, and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fostering innovation and regional cooperation for the benefit of Ghana and its West African neighbours.
The GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant stands as a beacon of Ghana’s industrial ambition and regional leadership, setting the stage for further collaborations that will shape the future of West African economic integration.
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