President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurated Ghana’s largest bitumen processing plant in Tema, Accra on September 12, 2024.
The $40 million cutting-edge facility is the result of a collaboration between Ghana’s GOIL PLC and Côte d’Ivoire’s Société Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB).
This groundbreaking initiative is poised to significantly impact the nation’s road construction and industrial sectors, reducing Ghana’s dependence on bitumen imports and positioning the country as a major player in West Africa’s bitumen market.
During his speech, President Akufo-Addo expressed deep satisfaction with the project, praising it as a shining example of regional cooperation. He was joined by Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Robert Beugré Mambé, representing President Alassane Ouattara, reflecting the importance of this partnership.
The President highlighted the plant as a symbol of the strong bonds between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, emphasizing that the collaboration showcases the power of shared goals and resources within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
With a storage capacity of 7,500 metric tons, the GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant will process base bitumen from Côte d’Ivoire into premium polymer modified bitumen (PMB) and bitumen emulsions.
These materials are essential for building long-lasting roads, offering greater durability in extreme weather and under heavy traffic.
PMB, enhanced with polymers, offers superior elasticity, durability, and resistance to cracks, making it perfect for highways and airport runways.
Conversely, bitumen emulsions are used for road maintenance, providing eco-friendly solutions that require lower temperatures during application. They offer an economical way to maintain roads and support infrastructure development.
By producing these vital materials locally, Ghana will improve road quality while reducing construction costs by limiting the need for imported bitumen.
President Akufo-Addo noted that this plant comes at a pivotal moment, as the government continues to prioritize significant investments in expanding the country’s road network.
The $40 million state-of-the-art facility represents a joint venture between Ghana’s GOIL PLC and Côte d’Ivoire’s Société Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB).
This innovative project is set to have a transformative effect on Ghana’s road construction and industrial sectors, decreasing the country’s reliance on imported bitumen and enhancing its role in West Africa’s bitumen market.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo conveyed his great pride in the initiative, lauding it as a prime example of regional collaboration. He was accompanied by Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Robert Beugré Mambé, who stood in for President Alassane Ouattara, highlighting the significance of this partnership.
The President emphasized that the plant symbolizes the robust relationship between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrating the effectiveness of shared objectives and resources within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The GOIL/SMB Bitumen Plant, with a storage capacity of 7,500 metric tons, will convert base bitumen from Côte d’Ivoire into high-quality polymer modified bitumen (PMB) and bitumen emulsions.
These products are crucial for constructing durable roads, offering improved performance in extreme weather conditions and heavy traffic.
PMB, which is enhanced with polymers, provides excellent elasticity, strength, and crack resistance, making it ideal for high-stress areas such as highways and runways.
On the other hand, bitumen emulsions are used for road maintenance, offering environmentally friendly solutions that require lower application temperatures. They provide a cost-effective method for road upkeep and infrastructure projects.
By producing these essential materials domestically, Ghana aims to enhance road quality and reduce construction expenses by cutting down on imported bitumen.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the timing of the plant’s launch is crucial as the government continues to make significant investments in expanding the country’s road infrastructure.