Trade and Industry Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has extolled Guinness Ghana's innovative portable spirits packaging and bottling line, a first in Africa.

The ultra-modern packaging line, christened 'CUBE' blends and bottles GGBL’s first mainstream spirit, Gilbey’s Dry Gin.

Speaking after a tour of the CUBE, Haruna Iddrisu lauded Guinness Ghana for investing in the portable packaging and bottling line.

"Congratulations to GGBL for including mainstream spirits to their already large portfolio. Government is committed to the development of industries and wants to improve the value chain aggregation of our local raw materials such as cassava", he revealed.

Other key stakeholders who toured the facility include James Asare-Agyei of the Association of Ghna Industris (AGI) and Seth Twum-Akwaboah , Executive Director of AGI.

Representatives from Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, Chartered Institute of Marketers Ghana, Institute of Public Relations, Ghana Investment Promotion Council, the media and the Achimota Local Assembly were also invited to tour the packaging innovation.

The GH¢ 9.36 million packaging line consists of five shipping containers that are connected together to provide a stand-alone blending and bottling operation.

The line, which is patented by Diageo plc, parent company of Guinness Ghana, is intended for various markets in Africa, with Ghana made the lead market for the innovation.

Peter Ndegwa, Managing Director of Guinness Ghana said "we aim to innovate at scale to meet consumer demands. As the industry leader, we are poised to provide the best of technology that brings affordability to the doorstep of many Ghanaians while maintaining the high standards of quality for which we are celebrated. "

The CUBE is expected to  provide Guinness Ghana consumers with a variety of mainstream spirits.

"The rippling effect of this project cannot be over emphasized as we directly employ more hands as well as the technology transfer for industry", Mr Ndegwa noted.

James Agyei, President of the Association of Ghana Industries said, ‘we appreciate governments understanding of the challenges of industry and we will like such initiatives to be replicated in other small scale industries.’

Guinness Ghana says Gilbey's Dry Gin is "a brand with strong heritage, a high quality liquid and distinctive packaging. "