Mr Alan Kyeremanten, Minister of Trade and Industry, has inaugurated Wilmar Africa Limited’s, Detergent Manufacturing Plant at its factory premise in Tema.

The US$30 million Detergent Plant, with a capacity of 24,000 metric tonnes, can meet the country’s total demand for detergent.

Mr Alan Kyeremanten, Minister of Trade and Industry, speaking at the inauguration, said: “The establishment of this state-of-the-art factory underscores the importance of such a strategic partnership between the Private Sector and Government in pursuit of our common goal of creating jobs and bringing prosperity to our people.

“This new detergent manufacturing plant is going to provide direct employment for about 220 people which will improve their livelihoods and that of their dependents,” he said.

The Trade Minister said the establishment of the company would boost the government’s strategic effort aimed at import substitution, especially in sectors, where there was local capacity for value addition.

Mr. Kwame Wiafe, General Manager, Wilmar Africa said the investment represented the company’s long-standing commitment to the country and its way of advancing the ‘Build Ghana, Buy Ghana’ agenda while impacting households with its reliable products.
“Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to make Wilmar products the choice brands in every home,” he said.

The General Manager said the opening of the Detergent Plant demonstrated their commitment to invest even more in their business so they could meet their customers’ expectations.

Mr. Wiafe said with the opening of the new Detergent Plant, Wilmar Africa would now be producing its much loved Jamaa powdered soap from start to finish, a great move compared to other similar competing products which were imported and bagged in Ghana.

Mr. Santosh Pillai, Chief Executive Officer for Africa – Wilmar International said, “We are delighted to open this landmark manufacturing plant in the country.

“It is our vision to ensure that we become the lead manufacturer of household consumer products and today’s milestone is a clear testament of Ghana’s strong position in Wilmar Africa’s footprint,” he said

He informed that, Wilmar’s vision was to be the company which understood and satisfied the everyday household needs in their markets, thus becoming the leading consumer products company in Ghana.

“We are excited by the Government’s renewed support for the manufacturing sector. We stand ready to explore opportunities presented by government for the benefit of companies like Wilmar Africa,” he added.