Kumasi Shoe Factory goes public with fashionable shoes

Kumasi Shoe Factory has begun the mass production of fashionable shoes as part of its effort to cut down the local demand and influx of foreign brands on the Ghanaian market.

The shoe factory, which has over years been producing safety and security boats and shoes for the uniformed security agencies, has now expanded its production to cover the specification, design and taste of the general public, especially, the fashion industry.

The new designs will be found at it showroom located close to the Elwak Sport Stadium, adjescent Ordinance School in

Accra.

The new designs were displayed and outdoored and viewed by the Vice President, Dr Mahammudu Bawumia at Burma Camp in Accra today.

The event was the inuaguration of Defence Industries Holding Company Limited (DIHOC), and sod cutting ceremony for various projects under the company.

Kumasi Shoe Factory also known as Dihoc Footwear Division is joint venture company between a Czech Republic-based company, Knights a.s., acting through its subsidiary, Knight Ghana Limited, and DIHOC Holding Company, owned by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

Vice President Address

Earlier In his address, Dr Mahammudu Bawumia, said the government was keen on creating an enabling environment for businesses to partner the government in various development projects.

He mentioned that the collaboration venture between GAF and the private sector was crucial in Ghana’s quest to enhance it economy, adding that such partnerships were key national development.

He urged the business community to go into more collaboration with the GAF.

Dr. Bawumia also pledged the government support to sustain policies required to empower a smooth business between government and private sector.

The Vice President was impressed with Dihoc Footwear products and commended GAF for its effort to make their product more viable.

DIHOC Footwear determined

Speaking in an interview at the event, the Board Chairman of DIHOC Footwear Division Limited ( Kumasi Shoe Factory), Dr Karl Laryea, said the company “is now in the position to produce all category of shoes designed to satisfy the preference and exact taste of the general public”.

He said over the years, investment had been made in the acquisition of modern equipments that could be used to produce the same categories of shoes been designed by celebrated designer brands in the world.

“DIHOC Footwear Division Limited can now produce shoes for corporate events which can be worn at weddings, executive meetings and any other occasions,” Dr Laryea said.

He said the company was in the process of producing large quantities of its new classic shoes to cover the West African sub-region especially now that African Continental Free Trade Area ( ACFTA) is in operation with its head office located in Ghana.

Dr Laryea, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Knights Ghana Limited, said efforts were being put in place to penetrate the local market and therefore called on Ghanaians to cut down their dependence on foreign products and patronize made in Ghana shoes by the company

He said although the company was investing heavily to come out with all categories of shoes, including, the fashionable designs, it would take the support and patronage of the people of Ghana for the company to expand its operations.

Support needed

Dr Laryea mentioned the lack of support as one of the major challenges Kumasi Shoe Factory has been facing.

He said it would go along way to empower the company if the needed policies were instituted and revived to sustain the gains and operations of the Kumasi Shoe Factory.

Dr Laryea mentioned that if the government could revive the policy of Achimota school sandals which was initiated in 2014 as part of effort to empower the Kumasi Shoe factory to supply sandals to all schools, the company would be in the position to triple it production and workforce.

He also stressed the need for the security agencies to increase their purchase of their product, considering the assurances made to the company prior to the resuscitation of the company.

“If the security agencies which includes the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Fire Service, The Customs Service and the GAF with a total of approximately 100,000 personnel demand for more product, employee numbers will shoot from 200 to 800 within 5 years,” Dr Layea said.

Additionally, he called on the government to grant waiver of taxes on imported raw materials for five years period spanning 2023 to 2028.

This, he said, would reduce the cost of production and decrease the selling price of boots to security services and make it easy for the company to product affordable school sandals for children in deprived schools