ZEV buses and coaches to be assembled in Sunyani
After big moves by Sinotruk, Toyota and Volkswagen, a Chinese ZEV firm becomes the latest auto manufacturer with plans to make vehicles in Ghana
A Chinese motor firm is poised to begin assembling buses and coaches in Ghana after reaching an agreement with Ghana Heavy Equipment Ltd.
The global motor firm will assemble the vehicles under a joint venture called the Ghana Bus Company Ltd.
The zero-emission vehicles (ZEV cars) assembled in Ghana will be electrical automobiles. They are intended for both local use and export to other African countries.
This was disclosed by the Bono Regional Minister, Evelyn Ama Kumi-Richardson, who further said that the Metro Mass Transit Company is already trialling two of the ZEV coaches.
The Regional Minister said a number of transport companies have also begun to make plans to acquire the coaches.
Fuelling Ghana beyond aid
The Regional Minister said that having ZEV buses and coaches assembled in the country will contribute to the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.
She also noted that Ghana will soon be able to export the vehicles to other African nations under the terms of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Kumi-Richardson made these developments known as she inaugurated a GHC3 million bus terminal in Sunyani, built by VIP Jeoun Company Ltd.
“All these efforts would consolidate the gains already made and the ultimate accomplishment of the president’s vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid,” she said.
The ZEV line joins the output of a select group of global car manufacturers which have chosen Ghana to assemble cars. The firms include Toyota and Volkswagen.
GHC3 million terminal
The multimillion-cedi bus terminal in Sunyani for VIP Jeoun Ltd has ultramodern facilities.
These include offices, a passenger lounge, a 20-bed restroom for drivers, a loading bay and a large yard.
The company expects to construct similar, state-of-the-art terminals in the other 15 regional capitals of Ghana within the next ten years.
Inaugurating the terminal, the Regional Minister said the government is committed to upgrading transport systems across the country.
She also highlighted the importance of the Ghana Automotive Policy, and stressed that it will help save the country money which would otherwise be used to buy foreign-made vehicles.
Kumi-Richardson noted that the value of motor vehicles imported into Ghana amounted to US$1.5 billion in 2018 alone.
E A Alanore
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