Neoplan old workers association has called on the government to absorb Neoplan Ghana Ltd into its flagship One District, One Factory initiative, to resuscitate the company.
Speaking at the 48th anniversary of the company organized by the old workers Association at the premises of the company in Kumasi in the Ashanti region, the chairman of the Association, Mr Boateng Rexford said when Neoplan Limited is revamped it can employ many unemployed youth in the country.
He stressed that it is sad to see a local Manufacturing Company which was employing over 2000 permanent workers and over 1000 Casual workers cannot even employ 1 person today.
Neoplan (Ghana) Ltd was established in 1974 under the Kutu Acheampong’s Regime, as a joint-venture company between the Government of Ghana and Gottlob Auwarter GmbH to produce buses for Ghana’s public transport fleet. It became the first bus manufacturing company in West Africa.
NEOPLAN was the first company that built a “Double Decker” bus in West Africa and was transporting some of the buses made here to the neighbouring countries because they used to build 8 brand new buses every weekend.
According to the chairman, the Minister for Works and Housing who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Bantama, Mr Francis Asenso Boakye promised to revive the company but his promises are yet to come to light.
Mr Akwasi Tonyo, a member of the association stated that Metro Mass Transit wouldn’t have been as bad as its current state if Neoplan Ghana had been operating.
He added that he believes Neoplan Ghana can solve Metro Mass Transit deplorable buses that are stuck in their yards because, Saudi Arabia bought 110 buses from Germany and after 8 years, it was not in good shape, they came to Ghana and Ghana ( Neoplan) company sent 5 people to Thailand, Pakistan and Philippians to get them trained and come back to resolve their issues.
