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Story by: Paul Mensah Nsor
The Ministry of Trade and Industry today commissioned a new fleet of vehicles for GIHOC Distillery Company Limited in a bid to strengthen the company’s distribution capacity and accelerate its return to profitability.
At the commissioning ceremony held at GIHOC’s headquarters, Minister for Trade and Industry Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu‑Agyare said the investment supports the government’s commitment to revitalizing Ghana’s manufacturing sector. She referenced President John Dramani Mahama’s recent pledge to boost local manufacturing and back homegrown producers as part of a broader economic agenda.
The asset injection includes 10 pickup trucks for field sales operations, two forklifts for warehouse and logistics management, one articulated delivery vehicle for bulk distribution and one administrative vehicle. Officials said the fleet directly addresses GIHOC’s critical operational shortfall in reaching distribution networks and retail points nationwide.
GIHOC, established in 1958 as West Africa’s first indigenous alcoholic beverage manufacturer, has faced longstanding structural challenges such as inadequate working capital, aging infrastructure and constrained distribution capacity. The Ministry emphasized that the vehicle delivery is one component of a wider turnaround plan.
Government representatives pledged to work with GIHOC’s board and management to resolve the company’s financial liabilities, review its operating model for long‑term viability and explore opportunities to expand production under the administration’s 24‑hour economy agenda. The minister underscored that public resources supporting the company must be managed with accountability, discipline and a clear commercial strategy.
The Ministry urged GIHOC’s leadership to demonstrate that a state enterprise can compete effectively in a liberalized market, warning that sustained public support will be contingent on measurable improvements in performance and governance.
Speaking at the vehicle commissioning, CEO Jones Borteye Applerh framed the rollout as central to a broader revival and strategic reset for the historic Ghanaian producer. He said the additions are “not expenses” but productivity tools and revenue enablers intended to restore GIHOC to a leadership position in the country’s industrial sector.
GIHOC reported a significant production increase in 2025, delivering more than 50% additional output year‑on‑year, a performance the company attributes to early results from its restructuring. Building on that momentum, management is moving to a two‑shift system with the aim of transitioning to full 24‑hour production in support of the government’s 24‑hour economy policy.
The newly commissioned assets—including a heavy‑duty truck and a 40‑foot container—are intended to close existing logistics gaps, increase delivery reliability to distributors and ensure product availability across Ghana’s regions, towns and trading hubs. Management emphasized that closer proximity to distributors and faster response times are key to regaining market leadership.
GIHOC’s strategy ties operational investments to broader economic goals: enhanced asset utilization, job creation and increased industrial productivity. Company leadership said these steps are designed to strengthen market visibility, bolster trade engagement and sustain growth into 2026 and beyond.
As GIHOC scales up production capacity and logistics capability, the company aims to deepen penetration across domestic markets and cement its role as an industrial anchor in Ghana’s nationwide economic ambitions.
