VALCO Needs Just $60m to Hit Full Capacity, Says Board Chair

Ambassador Horace Nii Ayi Ankrah, Board Chair of the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO), has revealed that the Ghanaian state-owned aluminium smelter needs no more than $60 million in investment to operate at full production capacity.

The disclosure signals a potentially significant opportunity for the Ghanaian government and prospective investors, suggesting that a relatively modest injection of funds could unlock the full industrial potential of one of the country's key state enterprises.

VALCO, located at Tema, has long been regarded as a strategic asset in Ghana's industrial landscape, capable of processing alumina into aluminium at scale. However, the facility has struggled over the years to operate consistently at its rated capacity due to funding constraints and issues with power supply.

Ambassador Ankrah's statement comes at a time when Ghana is actively seeking to expand its industrial base and add value to its natural resources rather than exporting raw materials. A fully operational VALCO could contribute meaningfully to job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and downstream manufacturing.

Industry watchers are likely to view the $60 million figure as a call to action for the government and private sector partners to prioritise the smelter's revival as part of broader economic transformation efforts.