Government presents 13 vehicles to GIHOC to boost operations, market reach
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare has commissioned 13 new vehicles for GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, aimed at revamping operations and expanding market reach.
The fleet includes ten pick-up trucks for field sales, two forklifts for warehouse management, one articulated delivery vehicle for bulk distribution and one administrative vehicle.
These vehicle injection is aimed at addressing one of the company’s most critical operational gaps—efficient distribution across the country.
Structural challenges
Speaking at the official commissioning ceremony at the company’s headquarters in the North Industrial Area, Accra, on Thursday, February 26, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare highlighted that GIHOC, Ghana’s first indigenous alcoholic beverage manufacturer established in 1958, has faced structural challenges over the years, including aging infrastructure, limited working capital, and constrained distribution capacity.
She emphasized that the government will continue collaborating with GIHOC’s Board and Management to address financial liabilities, review the operating model for sustainability, and explore production expansion under the 24-Hour Economy Policy.
"Just a few days ago, at the recent Presidential dialogue on the economy, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic, made a firm commitment to boost our manufacturing sector. He acknowledged the resilience of our local manufacturers, anchored on an enabling environment, and promised that this administration would be a steadfast partner in our growth."
"It is in this new spirit of collaboration and support for "Made in Ghana" that we gather here today. Through this commissioning, we are building a more competitive and profitable industry, ensuring our local beverages reach every corner of this nation and beyond," she said.
She hoped that the investment would tackle GIHOC’s key operational challenge of limited distribution reach.
Strategic turnaround
Board Chairman of GIHOC Distilleries, Henry Annor Boakye-Yiadom highlighted that the event is more than operational—it is a governance and strategic milestone.
He affirmed the Board’s commitment to enabling management to build a resilient, competitive, and profitable institution.
He said the newly commissioned fleet addresses critical operational gaps in distribution, market access, delivery reliability, trade presence, and overall efficiency, allowing GIHOC to expand national reach, improve delivery timelines, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Chairman Boakye-Yiadom emphasized that sustainable transformation requires people, systems, and discipline—not just assets.
The Board is focused on fostering a performance-driven culture where investments translate to measurable results and assets generate tangible value.
"As a state-owned enterprise, GIHOC’s revitalization is positioned to strengthen its industrial brand, contribute to national revenue, create jobs, and support Ghana’s broader economic agenda."
He concluded by reaffirming the Board’s unwavering commitment to good governance, strategic oversight, financial discipline, and long-term sustainability, marking the commissioning as an important step in GIHOC’s strategic turnaround.
Growth path
Chief Executive Officer of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, Jones Borteye Applerh declared that the company has officially returned to a path of growth, describing the commissioning of new operational vehicles as a symbol of revival and strategic reset.
Speaking at the ceremony, the CEO said the event marked more than the introduction of vehicles—it signaled renewed direction, disciplined growth, and a deliberate plan to restore GIHOC to industrial prominence.
He revealed that in 2025, the company increased production output by over 50 percent compared to the previous year, describing the surge as clear evidence that the turnaround strategy is yielding results.
To sustain this momentum, he said GIHOC has transitioned to a two-shift operational system and is preparing for full 24-hour production in alignment with government’s 24-Hour Economy policy under President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the CEO, the newly commissioned fleet will strengthen distribution, improve delivery reliability, deepen market penetration, and enhance trade visibility nationwide.
Mr Applerh noted that past logistical constraints had limited market efficiency, but the addition of a heavy-duty 40-foot delivery truck and other operational vehicles will bridge distribution gaps and improve responsiveness to distributors and retailers.
He emphasized that the investment represents productivity tools and revenue enablers rather than expenses, positioning GIHOC as a modern, competitive, and growth-oriented industrial brand.
"For years, logistics gaps affected how efficiently we moved products across the country. The addition of a heavy-duty delivery truck-a 40-foot for a start will now bridge that gap."
"We are committed to giving distributors the reliability they deserve and consumers the availability they expect," he said.
Concluding his remarks, he stated that GIHOC’s revival is not based on nostalgia but on operational excellence, disciplined execution, and sustained market expansion, asserting that “when GIHOC moves, industry moves.”
