President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officially commissioned the GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant in Tema, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s journey towards industrialization and regional integration.
This state-of-the-art facility, a collaborative effort between Ghana’s GOIL PLC and Côte d’Ivoire’s Société Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB), stands as the largest bitumen processing plant in the country and is poised to play a critical role in enhancing Ghana’s infrastructure development.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the $40 million project’s potential to meet the growing domestic demand for bitumen products while positioning Ghana as a key exporter to the West African region. “I was delighted to be joined by the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Robert Beugré Mambé, representing President Alassane Ouattara, my great friend and elder brother. The deepening cooperation between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrated through this joint venture, reflects our shared vision for mutual prosperity and development,” he stated.
“Together, we are proving that strategic collaboration within ECOWAS can drive sustainable industrial growth and enhance the lives of our people,” the President added.
President Akufo-Addo further emphasized that the new bitumen plant will enable Ghana to reduce its reliance on foreign imports and produce high-quality bituminous products such as polymer modified bitumen and bitumen emulsions. These products are essential for road construction and will ensure the durability and sustainability of the country’s infrastructure.
Additionally, the President noted that the facility opens up opportunities for export, contributing to job creation, technological advancement, and foreign exchange earnings for Ghana. “As we move forward, let this be a shining example of what we can achieve through collaboration and innovation,” he concluded.