President Akufo-Addo has launched the first VW vehicle assembled in the country at the Kempinski hotel in Accra.
“On Monday, 3rd August 2020, I unveiled the first VW vehicles assembled in the newly established VW Assembly Plant in Ghana. The models being assembled are Tiguan, Teramont, Amarok, Caddy, Polo and Passat. It is a good day for Mother Ghana. The VW assembly plant will create a lot of highly skilled jobs, reduce the high amounts of foreign exchange used in the importation of second-hand vehicles, and, thereby, help strengthen the Ghanaian currency, whilst, at the same time, earn the nation foreign exchange through the exportation of made-in-Ghana vehicles.With the Chinese company, Sinotruk, already engaged in the assembly of trucks in Ghana, I am hopeful that other global automobile companies, which have indicated their preparedness to set-up shop in Ghana, will soon follow the remarkable, pioneering example of Volkswagen.” he wrote on Facebook.
he President said the initiative is a result of a meeting he held with German Chancellor Angela Merkel when she visited Ghana in 2018.
“She visited at my invitation and in our discussion, an agreement was raised between government and Volskwagen and its Ghanaian partner, Universal Motors Limited for the assembling and ultimately the production of VW vehicles in the country,” President Akufo-Addo said.
The President said the move is part of measures by the government to develop the Automobile Industry in Ghana however said there were many who expressed doubts over it.
But after two years, he said he was glad that the dream had materialised.
“And I am happy to be here today to launch, officially, the first Volkswagen vehicle assembled in our country,” he said.
“Volkswagen means ‘the people’s car’ so I am expectant that the brands being assembled in Ghana will not only be affordable, but also be of highest quality,” he said.
He further pledged government support to the company to ensure the sustainability and profitability of this brand in the country.
