Ghana to begin feasibility studies establishing downstream aluminium project

The government of Ghana through the Ministry of Energy (MoEn) and the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenesjay of Trinidad and Tobago and Sural C.A. of Venezuela to conduct feasibility studies towards the establishment of a Downstream Aluminium Project.

The project will be located in Tema, Ghana’s harbour city.

“This Aluminium Downstream Project to be located in Tema will produce Continuous Cast Electrical & Alloy Grade Rods, Sheets and SANGSTM Automotive Parts that will create 450 direct and 900 indirect jobs. The Plant will convert liquid aluminium from the VALCO Smelter into high value added products,” says the Energy Ministry in a statement on its website September 13, 2011.

According to the statement, the objectives and aims of the project are to create both direct and indirect jobs, establish Ghana as an important transformation center for aluminium, export high value added products and develop other downstream and support industries.

The Ministry noted that “A core group of operational personnel from Ghana will be trained in Sural facilities to adequately and safely operate all the equipment. It is the hope of Government that Ghanaians would be provided with the opportunities to participate in all roles, at all levels and in all activities relating to the operations of the company.”

“As a country we could not have been more spot-on in considering our oil and gas find as a key to powering an Integrated Aluminium Industry that can create thousands of jobs and increase Government revenues for national development,” it says.

By Ekow Quandzie