President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned a state-of-the-art Steel Ball Mill and Section Mill Manufacturing Plant by B5 Plus Group, describing the investment as a major step forward in Ghana’s industrial transformation drive and a significant contribution to the government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda.
The newly inaugurated facility is expected to significantly expand Ghana’s domestic steel production capacity. It will manufacture structural steel sections, grinding media balls for the mining industry, pre-engineered building systems and a range of heavy industrial structures including warehouses, tankers, trailers and factory installations.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday, February 20, President Mahama underscored the importance of building industrial self-reliance and reducing dependence on imports.
“If we reduce steel imports by even 20 to 30 percent annually, the foreign exchange savings alone could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. This is what industrial sovereignty is about,” he stated.
The President noted that Ghana spends substantial amounts on imported steel products each year, placing pressure on foreign exchange reserves. He said strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity would not only save foreign exchange but also create jobs, deepen value addition and stimulate related sectors such as mining, construction and logistics.
President Mahama further highlighted the strategic importance of steel production in measuring industrial progress.
“Steel consumption is a strong indicator of industrial development,” he said. “Across emerging economies, per capita steel consumption rises in tandem with infrastructural development, urbanisation and industrial expansion.”
He described the B5 Plus investment as a signal of confidence in Ghana’s economic prospects and a demonstration of how private sector participation can drive structural transformation.
The facility is also expected to support the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy by enabling continuous industrial operations, boosting productivity and strengthening supply chains within the construction and mining sectors.
Industry analysts say the plant could position Ghana as a more competitive player in regional steel manufacturing, while reducing import reliance and supporting the country’s broader industrialisation agenda.
The commissioning marks another milestone in efforts to promote local manufacturing and build resilient industrial capacity in Ghana.
Story by Doe Benjamin Kofi Lawson