1D1F: Akufo-Addo opens KEDA Ghana Ceramics Phase III in W/R
A vision of industrial transformation
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has once again underscored his administration’s commitment to industrialization as he commissioned Phase III of the KEDA (Ghana) Ceramics Company Ltd at Shama in the Western Region. The project forms part of the government’s flagship One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, designed to stimulate economic activity and create sustainable jobs through industrial development at the district level.
The KEDA Ceramics Company, a subsidiary of China’s Twyford Group, has made significant inroads in Ghana’s manufacturing sector, producing 150,000 square meters of ceramic tiles per day.
A jobs powerhouse in the Western Region
Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo revealed that the company has already created over 5,000 jobs—a remarkable feat that directly contributes to addressing the country’s unemployment challenges. With plans to ramp up production and expand operations, the President noted the company’s immense potential in absorbing more unemployed youth, particularly within the Western Region.
“We shall do everything to justify why you established this company in Ghana,” the President assured stakeholders, reaffirming government support for the company’s expansion.
Leveraging AfCFTA: Ghana as the gateway to Africa
In a strategic push for regional dominance, President Akufo-Addo urged the company’s management to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—which Ghana proudly hosts in Accra. He emphasized that the AfCFTA presents a golden opportunity for companies like KEDA to export across the continent tariff-free and become a pan-African manufacturing hub.
“I’m confident that KEDA will spread its tentacles to the entire African continent,” he stated, envisioning a broader footprint for the company beyond Ghana’s borders.
Building local capacity and ownership
Representing Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen, Deputy Minister Michael Okyere Baafi noted that KEDA’s growth goes beyond job numbers. He explained that the company is actively transferring technical know-how to Ghanaian workers and preparing to hand over more technical positions to local staff. This aligns with government’s agenda of ensuring that Ghanaians are not just employees but key participants in the industrial value chain.
A testament to 1D1F’s success
The commissioning of Phase III, which began in September 2019 and was completed in June 2025, marks yet another milestone in the company’s expansion. Additionally, the sod-cutting for Phase IV signals continuous investment and confidence in Ghana’s industrial climate.
With exclusive visuals and the President’s personal endorsement, the event not only celebrates infrastructure but also affirms the government’s industrial policy as a catalyst for real economic transformation.
The path forward
The success story of KEDA (Ghana) Ceramics Company Ltd reflects the transformative potential of the 1D1F initiative. As Ghana positions itself as the manufacturing and trade hub of Africa under AfCFTA, companies like KEDA are critical in achieving that vision—providing jobs, building skills, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in African industrialization.
Photos from the commissioning and sod-cutting ceremony underscore the energy and optimism that filled the air, as Ghana continues on its path of industrial rebirth.
