Ghana directs agencies to give priority to locally assembled vehicles

Nana Akufo-Addo, the president of Ghana, has mandated all government agencies to ensure that locally assembled cars are given preference during procurement.

In a letter signed by Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, his chief of staff, the president said the government agencies must seek approval from the office of the chief of staff before initiating any process of purchasing a vehicle.

“The president has directed that effective July 2020 all ministries departments and agencies (MDAs), metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, as well as all state-owned agencies which desire to acquire new vehicles, should prioritize as their first option the purchase of locally assembled vehicles the intend to procure,” the letter read.

Osei-Opare said the policy will help boost employment by encouraging investment, industrialise the economy, and help the government preserve foreign exchange.

“All MDAs, MMDAs and other government establishment are to take note of the policy for compliance,” the president’s chief of staff read.

“You are further reminded that the directive to seek approval from the office of the chief of staff prior to initiating any process for procurement of vehicles remains enforced.”

In Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari is also trying to lead a campaign to discourage preference for imported items.

In 2018, the Nigerian army bought vehicles from Innoson, a local vehicle assembling company.