President John Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of a $250million float glass manufacturing factory at Shama in the Western Region, describing the project as a major step towards strengthening Ghana’s industrial base.

The ceremony also marked two other milestones: the commissioning of a modern sanitary ware factory and the inauguration of Phase Five of the ceramic tile production line by KEDA (Ghana) Ceramics Company Limited.

Speaking at the event, President Mahama said Ghana’s reliance on imported glass products remains high.

He said that in 2024 alone, the country imported more than 65,000 tonnes of glass products valued at nearly $25 million to meet the needs of the construction, automobile, and manufacturing sectors.

He said the new float glass factory would change that situation. Phase One of the project will produce 600 tonnes per day, while Phase Two will add another 800 tonnes, bringing total production capacity to 1,400 tonnes daily. When completed, it is expected to be one of the largest float glass facilities in Africa.

According to the President, the factory will reduce imports, save foreign exchange, strengthen supply chains, and position Ghana as a regional exporter of glass. At full capacity, export earnings alone are projected to approach 100 million dollars annually. “Production, not speculation, strengthens a currency,” he stated.

He added that the expansion of the tile production line under Phase Five will increase output by 40,000 square metres per day, raising total tile production to 200,000 square metres daily.

The company already exports to more than 20 countries, including the United States, Italy, France, Mexico, Peru and Brazil. The President said this proves that made-in-Ghana products can compete globally.

Touching on revenue and employment, President Mahama disclosed that in 2025 alone, the company contributed GH₵740 million in taxes to the Ghana Revenue Authority.

When the float glass factory becomes fully operational, annual tax contributions could exceed GH₵1 billion. “This is how we build schools, hospitals, and roads,” he said.

The project is expected to generate about 2,182 direct jobs, including 729 during construction and 1,453 permanent positions once operations begin. Thousands of indirect jobs are also anticipated.

The President noted that there is a structured localisation and skills transfer programme to ensure that Ghanaian engineers, technicians, and managers gradually assume leadership roles.

He said the investment aligns with the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative and export development agenda, as well as Ghana’s role as host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Trade agreements alone, he stressed, do not create prosperity. “Production and value addition do.”

President Mahama commended Chairman Shen, the management of KEDA Ghana Ceramics, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the traditional authorities of Shama, engineers, workers, and the young people involved in the project.

He said a nation succeeds when the government provides stability, investors provide capital and communities provide partnership.

“As I stand here, I see reduced imports, increased exports, a stronger cedi, jobs for our youth, and Ghana emerging as a manufacturing leader in West Africa. This is not a dream, it is happening,” he said.