Premier industrial enclave collapses; North Industrial Area becomes hub for churches, warehouses

About three decades ago, majority of young people, whether skilled or unskilled, turned to the North Industrial Area in Accra for jobs.
The First Republic designated the area an industrial enclave to lead in Ghana’s import substitution policy.

Some of the subsidiaries of the Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC), such as GIHOC Distilleries, the GIHOC vehicle assembly plant and electronic plant, were located in the area, in addition to the numerous private industries.

Notable companies set up there included Glamour Textiles, Freedom Textiles, the Match Factory and an Indian company which was into the manufacture of agricultural implements.

And to ensure food security, the Ghana Food Distribution Corporation was located in the area to provide all kinds of food items for institutions and schools.

But, today, most of these companies have collapsed or are producing at very low capacities.

Those that have collapsed have their premises turned into warehouses for all kinds of merchandise, including imported rice and sugar, while others have been taken over by religious bodies and converted into chapels.

Factories in other areas

Besides Accra, there were factories located in almost all the regions of the country, particularly Kumasi and Takoradi.

Even in some districts, such as the Krobo area, middle school leavers could gain employment in factories such as the Akosombo Textiles, the Juapong Textiles and the Asutsuare Sugar Factory.

In Nsawam, GIHOC Cannery offered jobs to many young people and the company was so productive that it set up a football team that provided entertainment for the people of the area.

Industrial activities boomed all over to such an extent that in Accra, the industrial concerns promoted a football league called the INDAFA League.

New factories

The prominent manufacturing concerns at the North Industrial Area are now into the production of plastic products, PVC pipes, foam mattresses, food and beverages.

Promasidor Company Limited is into the production of canned food, such as Yumvita Cerelac and Onga Maggie.

Fan Milk Limited, one of the old factories that have survived the difficulties, continues to produce ice cream, including Fanyogo, Fan Choco and Fan Milk.

Duraplast is still in production, manufacturing PVC pipes and water tanks, while Qualiplast manufactures mainly plastic items, including cups, bowls, kettles and chairs.

Poly Products produces polythene bags, while Ashfoam and Latex Foam are manufacturing foam mattresses of all sizes and shapes in their separate factories at the North Industrial Area.

GIHOC Distilleries produces alcoholic beverages, including Castle Bridge, Mandingo and Herb Afrik.

But the real picture on the ground is that all these companies are struggling to stand on their feet.

Government efforts
Although majority of the industries have collapsed, the government, in recent times, has initiated processes to revive some of them.
Already, the Shoe Factory in Kumasi is producing shoes for the security services, while the government has also sought support from India to revive the Komenda Sugar Factory.

Church activities

The Industrial Area is awash with church activities, some of the churches having taken over the buildings left behind by the collapsed companies, while others have constructed their own buildings.

Apart from the normal Sunday services, some of the churches also hold prayer sessions on working days.

For instance, the Christ Embassy holds two church services on Sundays, one on Monday evening, one on Wednesday afternoon and another on Friday evening.

The Grace Cathedral of the Grace Outreach Church also holds three church services on Sundays and an evening service on Wednesdays.

The Winners Chapel and the Light House Chapel also have churches in the North Industrial Area.

Trading companies

Melcom is operating a supermarket at the North Industrial Area. Mainly imported products, such as electronic gadgets, dresses, shoes and bags, are sold in the supermarket.

The company also has a plant for the manufacture of plastic items.

Batimat deals in imported tiles and bathroom items from Spain and Italy, with Comix Limited into the sale of construction equipment and industrial machinery, while Somoc Ghana Limited sells motorbikes and provides services.

Other shops include Pergamon Furniture, Binatone, LG Customer Service, Panasonic and Kumesh Ghana.

Financial institutions, including United Bank for Africa, Energy Bank and Stanbic Bank, have also established their presence in the area.

Residents’ observation

Some petty traders who sold food and other items to workers of the defunct industrial concerns bemoan the neglect of the North Industrial Area by successive governments since the 1980s.

Maami Ama Danso, who used to provide catering services for the workers, attributed the growing