1D1F: the KEDA ceramics plant provides 2,000 direct jobs | Economic news

The government has revealed that a ceramics factory whose construction began in September 2019 and was completed in June 2021 has so far created direct jobs for some 2,000 people.

Located in Shama in the Western region, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned phase 3 of the KEDA ceramic factory on Friday September 3, 2021, which operates under the One-District initiative. One-Factory.

“The plant generated some 2,000 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs, with the company investing around US $ 150 million in the three phases, which increased production capacity by 150,000 square meters of tiles per day. Currently, the company exports 60% of the tiles produced on the West African market, ”revealed the president.

He added that despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the KEDA ceramics factory was able to export 7,156,800 square meters of ceramics for an amount of $ 22.9 million, which rose to 10,540 800 square meters in 2020 and grossed $ 34.8 million.

According to the president, this year’s export projection is expected to reach 12,355,200 metric squares with 39.5 million US dollars in foreign exchange.

President Akufo-Addo added that “the company’s operations have also seen a significant reduction in the import of tiles of up to 14%. The contribution that this company makes to the country’s industrialization program and to the transformation of our economy is significant.

Particularly pleased with the company’s decision to source raw materials locally, the President noted that “a lot of these things we can do here in Ghana, we intend to start the process to do them here in Ghana. Ghana. This is how we can develop our economy and start improving the standard of living of our people. “

A Deputy Minister of Commerce, Michael Okyere Baafi, for his part noted that the success of KEDA Ceramics is testament to the favorable business environment and the appropriate incentives under the flagship 1D1F program.

“These local companies can compete in the global market and this is because the company is currently exporting its products to most West African countries and looking to penetrate the large continental market, I am particularly happy to be there. use of locally available raw materials. , clay, as the main input in the manufacture of products, ”said the deputy minister.

He also stressed that the establishment of the plant in the West region is a classic example of local businesses exploiting the available resources to improve the economic activities of the inhabitants of its catchment area.