Unilever commissions Eco-friendly factory, plants at Tema

One of Ghana's leading fast-moving consumer goods company, Unilever has commissioned three new plants at its factory site in Tema to expand their business and ensure continuous production of quality products for the market.

The three new plants, The Personal Care Dryer, Biomass boiler and Orals factory, are said to be environmentally friendly and part of Unilever's commitment to ensuring sustainable business practices.

Addressing the gathering at the Commissioning of the factory and plants on Tuesday, Managing Director of Unilever Ghana Gladys Amoah underscored the company's dedication to doing business in Ghana and expressed their commitment to keep improving on their technology and product quality.

Buttressing this position, Unilever Ghana Managing Director asserted "We have something we call the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. In that plan, we look to make sure that we provide our customers with good quality products at what we believe are acceptable prices. We look to make sure that our impact to the environment is reduced and we look to improve livelihoods. For us this commissioning is part of the three and most importantly our environmental impact is what we are most excited about."

Gladys Amoah indicated that "if you look at what we call our Biomass broiler, it will reduce our emissions by more than 70%, so cleaner air. If you look at our Personal Care Dryer, that will reduce our carbon emission by a further 12%. So we are adding to creating a cleaner Ghana and a good Ghana for our children to find growing up rather than a Ghana which is polluted and creating illness everywhere. But the thing we are still very much excited about is that we can still offer good quality products and now offer, we hope further employment down the supply chain because we will be procuring from local suppliers as much as we can."

The commissioning of the new plants means that Unilever will now produce locally and export to Nigeria and its subregional markets, its oral products such as pepsodent and close-up.

This the MD signalled is due to the increasing demand for the product that before now was imported from Vietnam.

In his keynote speech at a brief ceremony to commission the factories, President AKufo-Addo lauded the company for the strides they are making in Ghana particularly for their decision to localise their production.

President Akufo-Addo also commended them for their sustainability strategies and USLP that promotes the SDGs.

He believed this is a testament to the work his government has been doing to create a conducive environment for businesses and attract investments.

The President urged other businesses to do same in a bid to create more employment, boost the economy and ensure development of the country.

Akufo-Addo was optimistic that his government will maintain the gains made and assured, "my government will continue to work to create a stable macro-economic framework and positive outlook for businesses. The days when economic indicators were in haywire and through the roof are over. The disarray in our public finances, the reason for our recent marriage with the IMF are over"

Trade Minister in his comments at the event applauded the work of Unilever indicating that government's work in the macroeconomic aspect is yielding results but added government will not relent in working on other strategies to make the business environment more profitable.

He expressed governments preparedness to assist businesses to export their produce and urged local manufacturers to participate and take full advantage of the single market policy of Africa that may come into force by mid-2019.

Assuring Unilever and other businesses of government's pledge to protect their interests and investments against unfair practices, Alan Kyerematen said "it is in this regard that the President recently launched the establishment of Ghana International Trade Commission and I believe very soon companies such as yours can provide evidence to the Ghana International Trade Commission when there is clear evidence of damping. In addition to this, I will like to assure you that the government will support your efforts of exporting your products to not only the ECOWAS Region but across the length and breadth of the continent"

The cost of acquiring the Biomass plant is 2.2million Euros, the Personal Care Dryer cost 1million Euros to install and Orals factory investment summed up to 2.2 million Euros.

The company hopes to include solar in its energy mix in the course of the year and engage in more sustainable practices.