Danone company Fan Milk Ghana, which works in the beverage and diary sectors, has been urged to use the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to grow its business operations on the continent in order to meet demand and generate jobs.
The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Agribusiness, Mr. Sampson Ahi, stated that trade between African nations was still relatively low during the opening of Fan Milk PLC’s 65th anniversary celebration on Friday, which had as its subject “65 Years of Spreading Joy.”
“We are not trading among ourselves, even as African countries, and we still have huge markets that we need to explore. So, I was just trying to challenge them [Fan Milk Ghana] that even though they have performed very well in Ghana, they should try and expand to our sister countries,” Mr Ahi said.
He said that Fan Milk Ghana was establishing a new standard for sustainable manufacturing with its investments in solar energy systems, biomass, boilers, and waste water treatment.
Mr. Ahi stated that such a standard was not only commendable but also consistent with the nation’s dedication to climate resilience and green industrialization.
According to Mr. Ahi, Fan Milk Ghana is well-positioned to gain from the AfCFTA because of its operational strength and regional presence.
As a result, he praised the company for its creativity, significant influence, inclusivity, and job creation, all of which contributed to the nation’s economic expansion. He also promised that the government will promote businesses like Fan Milk PLC through its 24-hour economy strategy.
The company’s journey over the last three decades has been both amazing and difficult, according to Mr. Lionel Parent, Managing Director of Fan Milk Ghana and Francos. The company has seen ups and downs, particularly during the Covid-19 time.
According to Mr. Parent, the company’s goal was to establish Ghana as a significant export hub that would generate jobs and 20,000 street sellers every day, bolstering the national economy, boosting local revenue, and enabling people to invest and thrive.
“Fan Milk Ghana is still owned at 40 per cent by Ghanaians. Today, we announced that we are paying GH¢9.3 million dividend, and that is GH¢ 9.3 million going straight into the pockets of people living here as they can use it for their pensions, school fees for their children and medical bills,” Mr Parent said.
Although the business was active in a few African nations, he stated that it was eager to grow to other African nations where it was not yet present.
According to Mr. Parent, Fan Milk Ghana has programs designed to shift the entire ecosystem to a solar system, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability.
“We have increased the tax we pay,” he added, adding that Fan Milk Ghana and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) had a positive relationship. Last year, we also paid GH¢250 million.
The anniversary launch, according to Mr. Hendrik Born, General Manager, Danone Sub-Saharan Africa, was a reaffirmation of Fan Milk Ghana’s goal of providing as many people with food that promotes health.
Source: newsthemegh.com