President John Dramani Mahama on Friday commissioned the Steel Ball Mill and Section Mill (SBMS) Manufacturing Plant of B5 Plus Limited at Larkpleku Village in Prampram, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s industrialisation agenda and efforts to strengthen local value addition within the steel sector.
The commissioning ceremony brought together senior government officials, traditional authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industry, and stakeholders within the manufacturing sector, underscoring the strategic importance of the investment to Ghana’s infrastructure and economic transformation drive.
In his keynote address, President Mahama described the establishment of the SBMS Plant as a bold step towards reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported steel products while enhancing local production capacity to meet growing domestic and regional demand. He emphasized that a vibrant steel industry is central to the successful implementation of the government’s flagship infrastructure programme, widely referred to as the “Big Push,” which aims to accelerate large-scale national development projects.
The President further highlighted the relevance of the government’s 24-Hour Economy Programme, noting that energy-intensive industries such as steel manufacturing stand to benefit significantly from policies designed to promote round-the-clock productivity, improve efficiency, and enhance global competitiveness. He reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring stable power supply and a conducive business environment to support industrial growth.
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, described the Phase II expansion of B5 Plus as a major boost to Ghana’s industrial transformation efforts. She noted that the project aligns with the government’s Feed the Industry Programme, which prioritizes the use of locally available raw materials, particularly scrap metals, to strengthen domestic value chains and retain more economic value within the country.
Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, commended B5 Plus for its sustained investment in the enclave and pledged continued advocacy for reliable infrastructure, especially power, to sustain industrial activities in the area.
The SBMS Manufacturing Plant is expected to significantly enhance Ghana’s steel production capacity by producing high-quality steel balls and sections used in mining, construction, and other heavy industries. The expansion is projected to create additional direct and indirect employment opportunities while positioning Ghana as a competitive steel manufacturing hub within the West African sub-region.
Officials of the Ghana Free Zones Authority who attended the ceremony reaffirmed their commitment to supporting enterprises operating under the Free Zones regime. They noted that the commissioning of the plant demonstrates the continued attractiveness of Ghana’s investment climate and the effectiveness of policies aimed at promoting export-led industrial growth.
The commissioning of the B5 Plus SBMS Plant stands as a clear testament to the synergy between government policy, private sector investment, and strategic industrial planning — a collaboration widely seen as essential to achieving sustainable economic transformation and long-term national prosperity.
