Kumasi Shoe Factory

The long-cherished hope of some Ghanaians to see the resurgence of the once famous Kumasi Shoe Factory has materialised.
Formerly called the Ghana Industrial Holding (GIHOC) Footwear Company Limited, the now Defence Industries Holding Company Limited (DIHOC) Footwear Division Limited, is producing shoes for the uniformed security agencies in the country.

Established in 1960, the shoe factory, located on a the 35.75-acre land produced footwear and rubber sheets under an agreement signed by Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and Czechoslovakia in 1961, collapsed in the late 1970s.

It has been resuscitated, following a joint partnership between a Czech Republic-based company, Knights a.s., acting through its subsidiary, Knight Ghana Limited, and the Defence Industries Holding Company Limited (DIHOC), owned by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

DIHOC Footwear now produces safety boots and shoes for private security and manufacturing companies, as well as sandals for schools.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Chief Executive Officer of Knight Ghana Limited, Dr Karl Laryea, said even though the shoe factory was yet to officially receive orders from the security agencies, it had already started full production.

“Currently the company is supplying shoes to institutions that place orders for supplies. We have trained personnel who make the shoes,” he said.