We will digitise operations at Suame Magazine – Mahama

Suame Magazine, the largest metal fabrication enclave in the West African sub-region, will be transformed into an industrial park in a future NDC government, former President Mahama has said.

According to him, his next government will step up diagnostic equipment at the metal fabrication enclave.

“One of the party’s key agenda is to introduce modern diagnostic equipment to modify the methods of repairing and fixing vehicles,” he told supporters gathered at a ‘Town Hall Meeting’ in Kumasi.

He said artisans will be trained in how to adopt contemporary methods of metal engineering and vehicle repairs to add value to their work.

“We will be working closely with the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organization (SMIDO) to give the area a befitting status” he added.

According to him, the provision of good roads and skills-acquisition training facilities, as well as insurance schemes for artisans, were also part of the NDC’s plans for the enclave.

Background

Situated in the Suame Municipality of the Ashanti Region, the Suame Magazine enclave provides more than 200, 000 direct and indirect jobs to the people, according to the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organization (SMIDO).

In spite of its strategic importance to the local economy, the metal engineering and vehicle repairs industry is beset with some pertinent challenges – such as the excessive exposure of artisans to harmful chemicals in the course of their work and conservative manual working practices.

“Such harmful exposure has devastating health implications, especially on one’s kidney and liver” A scientist with the College of Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology” GNA reported.