On September 12, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurated Ghana’s Ghana’s bitumen processing plant, situated in Tema, Accra.
This $40 million state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in the country’s structural development, resulting from a joint venture between Ghana’s Ghana’s C and Côte d’Ivoire’s Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB).
The new plant, which boasts a storage capacity of 7,500 metric tons, is expected to transform Ghana’s construction sector.
It will process base bitumen imported from Côte d’Ivoire, high-quality polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), and bitumen emulsions, reducing the nation’s bitumen imports and positioning Ghana as a critical player in the West African bitumen market.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo lauded the plant as a testament to regional cooperation and collaboration, reflecting the strong ties between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire joined at the ceremony by His Excellency Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara. The President underscored that the plant symbolizes the power of shared vision and resources within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant will produce polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), which is known for its enhanced elasticity and resistance to cracking. This makes it ideal for high-stress areas such as highways and airport runways.
Bitumen emulsions, used in road maintenance and construction, provide environmentally friendly solutions that reduce the need for high temperatures during application. ‘
The ability to produce these essential products domestically is expected to improve road quality in Ghana and reduce construction costs.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized the plant’s planters, which aligns with his government’s road construction program. Over 12,000 kilometres of roads have been built since 2017.
“This facility will complement the government’s, producing the necessary volumes of polymer-modified bitumen and bitumen emulsions to meet the growing demands of our infrastructure sector,” he said.
The commissioning of the GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant also represents a significant advancement in regional integration.
President Akufo-Addo hailed the joint venture as a model for future ECOWAS collaborations, demonstrating how national companies can drive industrialization and economic development across the region.
He remarked, “This initiative shows what can be achieved when we pool our resources, expertise, and resolve as nations.”
The p “is anticipated to create job opportunities and enhance Ghana’s Potential by supplying high-quality bitumen products to neighbouring West African countries, generating foreign exchange revenue.
The President stressed the importance of maintaining international standards at the facility to position Ghana as a leader in the regional bitumen industry.
Reiterating his government to foster industrial ventures like the GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that such projects reflect the soundness of Ghana’s Ghana policies and the resilience of its economy.
He also urged Honourable Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister for Roads and Highways, to ensure that the plant’s utility bitumen is utilized in significant road projects nationwide.
In closing, President Akufo-Addo praised the leadership of GOIL PLC, the contractors Orsam, and the teams from GOIL and SMB for their dedication and timely project completion.
He expressed optimism about future industrial partnerships between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, the bitumen plant, as a foundation for further regional collaboration and sustainable development.
“This pl strengthens the foundation upon which we are building a future of self-reliance and regional integration,” the Pr president concluded. Together, we will continue to forge partnerships that benefit our peoples and promote sustainable development.”
The G “IL/SMB Bitumen Plant exemplifies how strategic partnerships and regional cooperation can drive industrialization and create economic opportunities, positioning Ghana as a leader in road construction and infrastructure development in West Africa.
