Minister to pursue colleagues to buy Kantanka automobiles
Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation says he would encourage colleague cabinet ministers to patronise the vehicles of Kantanka Automobiles.
This, he said, is part of President John Mahama’s efforts to get citizens to patronise made in Ghana products to promote the growth of industries and the economy.
Mr Ayariga made the remark when he toured the Kantanka Automobile Factory at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region.
He reiterated government’s commitment to provide incentives to the company to produce more vehicles to make the prices lower for the patronage of the ordinary Ghanaian.
Mr Ayariga also mentioned that his outfit would be buying vehicles from the company from next year, a directive he has given to the Chief Director at the Ministry, as the company is creating jobs for Ghanaian professionals especially, graduates.
The Minister noted upon test driving the vehicle in the factory yard, “the cars are robust, comfortable and can last longer than expected as the quality standard is guaranteed”.
He appealed to the media to take the responsibility of spreading the good news about the factory.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kantanka Automobile, Mr Kojo Sarfo Jnr said the company needs government support in order to import more materials into the country for assembling and manufacturing.
He said an area government could help is to grant tax exemptions for imported inputs.
Mr Sarfo said Kantanka Automobile had met the international manufacturing and assembling standards certified by the international standard organisation.
He said the company is partnering other automobile companies around the globe, including China to get expatriates from some of the partner companies to work with the business entity.
The CEO also raised questions why government has no policy that instructs the public agencies and departments to purchase the vehicles and other products of the company to promote the economy.
He said the Zimbabwean Embassy in Ghana has so far being the highest buyers of the vehicles for official use.
The prices of the vehicles range from GH₵ 68,000.00, which is the SUV 71, GH₵ 79,000.00 for the pickup and GH₵ 94,000.00 for its 4×4 biggest SUV.
Source: GNA