Samsung Invests $140m In Ghana

Global consumer electronics manufacturer, Samsung Electronics, has announced plans to invest $140 million for the next five years as part of its strategy to increase market share in Ghana and other parts of Africa. The company has been operating in Ghana over the past two decades and currently holds about 35 per cent market share of the mobile market in Ghana with over 124 distributors and retailers. The investment, which is also expected to boost the overall revenue of the Korean-based multinational company, will focus on areas such as distribution capacity, establishment of assembling factories and engineering schools, among others. This came to light during the official opening ceremony of the first spectacular Week Celebrations of Samsung in Ghana yesterday at the National Theatre. The three-day celebrations dubbed �Beautiful Ghana through the eyes of Samsung� is to enable the company unveil its presence and entrench its position as a market leader in the telecommunications and electronics industry. The celebrations will include activities such as Samsung Cultural Icon and Facebook Photo Competitions, Free Service Campaign and an exhibition of all Samsung�s latest technologies dubbed �the Experience Zone�. According to the Managing Director of Samsung Ghana, Brovo Kim, the Week Celebration is to enable Ghanaians from all walks of life experience the technological innovations of the Samsung Brand as well as give back to the Ghanaian community in which it has operated over the past two decades. �We have through a partnership with World Vision, a non-governmental organisation, began building an ICT learning centre for Obuom community as our contribution to improve their livelihoods in this era of technology,� Mr Kim disclosed. The Deputy Minister of Communications, Ernest Attuquaye Armah, said since Ghana is the gateway to Africa, a significant chunk of the $140 million investment must be put into Ghana to assist the government�s �Better Ghana� Agenda. He also urged Samsung Electronics to continue manufacturing televisions that will meet the digital terrestrial broadcasting standards as it has done in the European and the North American markets. He further appealed to the company to actively partner his outfit and other environmental agencies in Ghana to combat the threat of e-waste in the country. �It is my humble plea the Samsung Ghana will play a strong role in the management of e-waste in Ghana as that will go a long way in the saving of mother earth as part of your corporate social responsibility,� Deputy Minister of Communications stated. The week celebrations will end on Friday, September 9, 2011.