President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inaugurated Ghana’s largest bitumen processing plant, situated in Tema, Accra.
This $40 million facility, a collaborative effort between Ghana’s GOIL PLC and Côte d’Ivoire’s Société Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB), is poised to revolutionize the country’s road construction sector and reduce dependency on bitumen imports.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo praised the project as a testament to regional cooperation and economic collaboration. Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, representing President Alassane Ouattara, attended the ceremony, underscoring the importance of this partnership.
The President highlighted that the plant symbolizes the strong bilateral ties between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire and showcases the potential of collective efforts within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant boasts a storage capacity of 7,500 metric tons and will convert base bitumen imported from Côte d’Ivoire into high-quality polymer modified bitumen (PMB) and bitumen emulsions. These products are vital for developing durable road infrastructure, with PMB known for its elasticity and strength, ideal for high-stress areas like highways and runways. Bitumen emulsions, used in road maintenance, offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution, reducing the need for high temperatures during application.
President Akufo-Addo noted the plant’s timely significance, complementing his government’s extensive road construction program, which has added over 12,000 kilometers of roads since 2017. The facility will help meet the growing demand for polymer modified bitumen and bitumen emulsions, furthering the government’s infrastructure goals.
The inauguration of the GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant also marks a significant step in enhancing regional integration. President Akufo-Addo described the joint venture as a model for future ECOWAS collaborations, demonstrating the benefits of pooling resources and expertise for industrial and economic development.
The plant is expected to create jobs and boost Ghana’s export potential by supplying high-quality bitumen products to neighboring West African countries, thereby generating foreign exchange revenue. The President emph asized the need for the facility to adhere to international standards, positioning Ghana as a leader in the regional bitumen industry.
President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting industrial ventures like the GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant, which he views as a demonstration of Ghana’s economic resilience and sound policies. He urged the Minister for Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, to ensure the plant’s products are utilized in major road projects nationwide.
The President also commended GOIL PLC’s leadership, the contractors Orsam, and the teams from GOIL and SMB for their dedication and timely completion of the project. He expressed optimism about future industrial partnerships between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, highlighting the bitumen plant as a foundation for further regional collaboration and sustainable development.
