Rana Motors commends govt for changes at ports; opens new facility in Kumasi

Rana Motors and Metal Engineering Company, authorised distributors of KIA vehicles in Ghana, has lauded government for taking steps to reduce port inspection agencies.

Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia recently announced the scale-down of agencies from sixteen to three effective next month.

The move, according to the Vice President, is meant to enhance the digitalisation agenda and for a prompt port delivery system.

Chief Operating Officer of Rana Motors, Kassem Odaymat, says it is a good step to facilitate faster clearing of goods.

“It is a good start because it will facilitate the business, clearing of the good to be faster. We have welcomed this step that government is trying to put in place.

"We are constantly sitting us industry leaders with the government to discuss further on how we can do things to improve the economy. Because when the economy is doing better, it will be good for all of us as businesses and the people of Ghana.”

He spoke to Joy Business at the opening of a new Rana Motors Facility at Asafo near the VIP Bus Terminal in Kumasi.

New Facility

Officials of Rana Motors, the authorised distributors for KIA motors, say the facility will provide first-class automobile services to its customers in this part of the country.

Difficulty of acquiring a land in the Central Business District of Kumasi has compelled the company to convert its old structure into the new facility, after operating from a small facility at Suame, a suburb of Kumasi, for many years.

The leading automobile company which distributes 12 models of the KIA range has secured dealership and distribution of other vehicle brands.

Chief Operating Officer of Rana Motors, Kassem Odaymat says, “we have secured dealership and distribution of Ford trucks, Hyundai trucks and buses, Ashok Leyland trucks and buses, SML (Swaraj Mazda trucks) Heli and Hyundai forklifts.”

He continued that, “We hope to grow and expand within the city of Kumasi providing the desired first class with all encompassing automobile services to our clients and provide a Hustle free vehicle purchase experience and service that is unmatched in the industry.

"At about forty years, we are old enough to have our own headquarters in Accra. This hopefully should be operational by next year”.

The new facility boasts of a modern workshop equipped with comprehensive spare parts inventory and well-trained technicians and personnel.

Assistant Director at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, who represented the Regional Minister, Ntow Ayisi, appealed to vehicle owners to purchase genuine spare parts to reduce vehicular accidents.

Head of Transport at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Randy Wilson, reiterated the critical role the automotive industry plays in Ghana's march towards a middle income economy.

He commended Rana Motors for their reliance on high efficient performing vehicles and great after sales services.

“For those of us responsible for transport, it gives us excitement and ties in so much to become a safe and vibrant investment destination for both local and international investors. 

"And we hope that such investments will be able to improve the life of our people through the provision of essential services and the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable and inclusive development“.

Mr Odaymat took the guests around the facility to inspect new KIA vehicles in the showroom and the technologies at the workshop.

Interest rates

Mr Odaymat has reiterated the call by many industry players for the interest rate to be reduced further.

Policy rate has seen a significant reduction from 26 per cent in November 2016, to 17 percent in May 2018, which translates into interest rate reduction.

“For us, the lower the interest rate, the more accessible our vehicles and new vehicles are to the people of Ghana. We really applaud government in taking down the basic rate, we are even pleading that the interest rate is reduced further so that they can make it accessible to more people”.

According to him, more accessibility of new vehicles holds the tendency to result in better services, safer roads, quality cars on the road instead of second-hand cars which may lead to problems in the future.