Shama float glass plant poised to rank among Africa’s largest - Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed strong optimism that the new float glass factory under construction in Shama in the Western Region will rank among the largest on the African continent and significantly boost Ghana’s export capacity.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the float glass facility and the commissioning of a sanitary ware plant by KEDA (Ghana) Ceramics Company Limited, the President said the project would be a major turning point for Ghana’s glass industry.

He pointed out that Ghana remains heavily dependent on imported glass products, revealing that in 2024 alone, the country imported more than 65,000 tonnes of glass valued at nearly $25 million to meet demand from the construction, automobile and manufacturing sectors.

According to him, the new plant is expected to reverse that trend by reducing import reliance and conserving foreign exchange.

“This float glass factory is going to change that equation. It will cut down our imports, save foreign exchange and position Ghana as a major exporter of glass in the region,” he stated.

President Mahama added that the scale of the investment places it among the biggest float glass operations in Africa. He said once completed, the factory will supply both African markets and destinations in Europe and beyond.

At full operational capacity, the facility is projected to produce about 1,400 tonnes of glass per day. The President indicated that export earnings alone could reach nearly $100 million annually, strengthening Ghana’s manufacturing base and supporting its broader industrialisation agenda.