Ghana to export glass to Africa, Europe as mega factory takes shape- Mahama announces
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana will soon begin exporting glass products to African countries and Europe following the establishment of a major float glass manufacturing facility in Shama in the Western Region.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the new float glass plant and the inauguration of the fifth phase of Keda Ghana Ceramics’ tile production line, President Mahama described the project as a transformative step in Ghana’s industrialisation drive.
“When completed, this will be one of the largest float glass facilities in Africa, and we’re going to export glass from here to other African countries and also to Europe and other destinations,” he declared.
The facility will be developed in two phases, with phase one producing 600 tons of glass per day and phase two adding another 800 tons daily, bringing total production capacity to 1,400 tons per day.
“If you have your calculator, 1,400 tons a day times 365 days a year, you will get the production that is going to come out of this factory,” the President noted.
He said the project would significantly reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported glass while positioning the country as a regional manufacturing hub.
“In 2024 alone, Ghana imported over 65,000 tons of glass products valued at almost $25 million to meet the demand of our construction industry, automobile and manufacturing sectors. This factory is going to change that equation,” he stated.
“It will reduce our imports of glass, save us foreign exchange, strengthen supply chain reliability, and position Ghana as a major regional exporter of glass,” he added.
President Mahama emphasized that industrial production and export expansion are central to strengthening the national economy and the local currency.
“This is how to build a strong economy. This is how to build a strong currency. Production underpins the value of a currency, not by speculation, but by production and exports,” he stressed.
He further linked the investment to Ghana’s strategic role under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that the country must translate its hosting of the Secretariat into tangible manufacturing growth.
“Trade agreements alone do not create prosperity. Production does. Value addition does. Competitive exports create prosperity,” he said.
Beyond exports, the President highlighted the employment impact of the project, which is expected to generate over 2,000 direct jobs and thousands of indirect opportunities in logistics, raw materials supply and services.
“As I stand here today, I see a reduction in our import bill. I see an increase in our exports. I see a stronger cedi. I see high-value jobs for our youth, and I see Ghana emerging as a giant of West African manufacturing,” President Mahama declared.
