The period in the 1960s when Ghana was the sole producer of safety matches in West Africa

The 1960s were arguably Ghana's golden era as the country was on the cusp of a vibrant industrialisation drive.

During this period, Ghana was known as the sole producer of many goods and items that served various parts of Africa.

Items such as television sets, tiles, boats, cooking utensils, and tires, among others, were domestically produced as the country continued to play a significant role in both regional and international trade, particularly in exports.

In 1967, the government established the Ghana Match Factory Corporation at Kade in the Eastern Region to produce match sticks for the country and the entire sub-region.

Just a few years after its establishment, the factory was already exporting locally-made safety matches to Liberia, Niger, and Mauritania, among others.

This earned Ghana a favorable position compared to some of its peers on the continent at the time.

However, many of these factories, mostly established by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, have either become defunct or have been left to rot as the years went by.

Today, Ghana imports most of its safety matches mainly from Indonesia, Togo and India.

A video showcasing the factory workers' operations at the Ghana Match Factory Corporation has surfaced online, showcasing young and energetic workers fulfilling their duties at various production lines.

Watch the video below:

Footage: Ghana Match Factory Corporation established at Kade in the 60's to produce matches for the country and the entire sub-region. In 1967, the factory was already exporting matches to Liberia, Niger and Mauritania. pic.twitter.com/lv6gR2LXDC

— GHANA FACTS & HISTORY (@GhanaianMuseum) July 22, 2024

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