University of Ghana Economist, Prof. Ebo Turkson, has called on Ghanaians to patronise locally assembled vehicles, warning that weak consumer demand is stalling the growth of the country’s automotive industry. Speaking at the Citi Business Festival Roundtable on Thursday, June 25, under the theme “Driving Ghana Forward: The State of the Automotive Assembly Industry and its Contribution to the Economy,” Prof. Turkson identified consumer behaviour as a major obstacle to Ghana’s industrialisation agenda.
He noted that despite government efforts to promote local manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports, many citizens remain hesitant to purchase locally assembled products. “Ghanaians are not that patriotic when it comes to consumption,” he remarked. Drawing comparisons with countries that pursue clear industrial policies, he stressed that citizens elsewhere often support such initiatives by buying locally produced goods. Prof. Turkson dismissed concerns about quality, insisting that vehicles assembled in Ghana by global automobile manufacturers meet international standards.
“When it comes to international standards, these OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in Ghana are producing to international standards,” he said. The economist explained that stronger demand for locally assembled vehicles would have benefits beyond the assembly plants themselves. He noted that industries such as transport and logistics, vehicle dealerships, body repair shops, insurance companies and banks all stand to benefit from a thriving automotive sector.
“There are a number of allied industries that benefit from a well-functioning automotive industry,” he said. Prof. Turkson also called for greater involvement of the financial sector in supporting vehicle purchases, suggesting that affordable financing schemes could encourage more workers to buy cars assembled in Ghana.
“How do you offer financing to workers to get cars from these plants that are being assembled here in Ghana? I’m very certain that if the financing is right, you have Ghanaians opt for these cars,” he said.
He maintained that increased demand, supported by accessible financing, would create jobs across the automotive value chain while helping Ghana reduce its reliance on imports and ease pressure on the cedi.
Source: Abigail Arthur
