By Rachel Quartey
Aburi New Energy Company, a solar panel manufacturing firm in Tema, has appealed to the government to align Free Zones operations with the 24-Hour Economy agenda by extending port clearance hours beyond the current 4 p.m. deadline.
The appeal was made when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy toured the company’s manufacturing facility in Tema. The Committee commended the firm for its export performance and contribution to job creation, while urging it to strengthen worker safety measures and expand sales to the local market.
Operating within the Free Zones enclave, Aburi New Energy Company is one of Ghana’s largest and most advanced photovoltaic module manufacturers. Since commencing operations in January 2026, the company has employed about 250 Ghanaians and exported more than 200 containers of solar panels, mainly to the United States market.
Chairperson of the Committee, Emmanuel Bedzrah, described the company’s achievements as impressive and indicative of the growing potential of Ghana’s renewable energy sector.
“As a committee, we came to visit in line with our mandate to inspect energy-related facilities. We are excited to learn that in less than two years, the company has employed 250 staff and is operating 24 hours a day,” he said.
Mr. Bedzrah noted that the company’s ability to export successfully to the United States demonstrated that its products meet international standards.
“The fact that they have exported close to 250 containers to the US market within one and a half years clearly shows that their products are accepted outside the country. We congratulate them on that achievement,” he stated.
Despite the success, the Committee urged the company to expedite efforts to secure certification from the Energy Commission and the Ghana Standards Authority to enable it to supply the domestic market.
“We have discussed with them the need to consider the local market as well because there is a growing demand for renewable energy products in Ghana,” Mr. Bedzrah said.
Members of the Committee also stressed the need for stronger occupational health and safety measures to protect the company’s predominantly Ghanaian workforce.
“We will be back again to assess what they are doing, especially in the area of health and safety for their staff,” the Chairperson added.
The lawmakers further encouraged the company to source some of its raw materials locally and invest in infrastructure projects within its host community as part of its corporate social responsibility commitments.
An official of the Energy Commission pointed to taxes on imported raw materials used in solar panel production as a challenge affecting the competitiveness of local manufacturers.
For his part, the local partner of the company, Bismark Ocansey, appealed to the government to extend operating hours for Free Zones companies at the ports.
“Currently, Free Zones companies are only allowed to clear goods up to 4 p.m. We are hoping the government can extend this to 6 p.m., 9 p.m. or even 10 p.m. because delays increase costs and affect our production schedules and delivery commitments to clients,” he explained.
Mr. Ocansey also called for tax incentives to make locally manufactured solar panels more affordable to Ghanaian consumers.
“When imported solar products enter the country, certain concessions apply, but when we manufacture here and sell locally, we face higher taxes. We want to engage the government so that more Ghanaians can benefit from quality solar panels made right here in Ghana,” he said.
Responding to concerns about the welfare of workers, Mr. Ocansey said the company remains committed to creating employment opportunities and improving livelihoods.
“We are employing more Ghanaians and providing them with income to support their families. In the future, we hope to employ even more people and help reduce unemployment in the country,” he added.
Aburi New Energy Company also assured the Committee of its commitment to safeguarding the interests of its workers and supporting the development of the community in which it operates.
