Dr. Karl Laryea in an interview with journalists
DIHOC FOOTWEAR Division Limited, popularly referred to as the Kumasi Shoe Factory, yesterday opened its showroom adjacent to the School of Ordinance, Elwak Sports Stadium in Accra.
Board Chairman, Dr. Karl Laryea, called on Ghanaians not to look down on locally made shoes from the factory but accord high respect for the company’s products in terms of quality.
There were more than 7000 pairs of fashionable shoes on display for the public including Achimota sandals, executive wears, and yet-to-be commercialised diabetic shoes.
Dr. Laryea announced that the factory was now into commercial shoe production and would soon open more showrooms in other regions.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia last week outdoored the company’s new shoe collections, at the inauguration of the Defence Industries Holding Company Limited (DIHOC) as well as the sod-cutting ceremony for various projects under the company.
The shoe factory has over years been producing safety and security boots and shoes for uniformed security agencies.
DIHOC Footwear Division, is joint venture between a Czech Republic-based company – Knights a.s., acting through its subsidiary, Knight Ghana Limited – and DIHOC Holding Company, owned by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Dr. Laryea said the company “is now in a position to produce all categories of shoes designed to satisfy the preference and exact taste of the general public.”
He said the company now boasts of modern equipment to produce the same categories of shoes being designed by celebrated designer brands worldwide.
“DIHOC Footwear Division Limited can now produce shoes for corporate events which can be worn at weddings, executive meetings and any other occasion,” Dr. Laryea said.
He said the company is in the process of producing large quantities of its new classic shoes to cover the West African sub-region.
Dr. Laryea, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Knights Ghana Limited, called on Ghanaians to cut down their dependence on foreign products and patronise made in Ghana shoes from DIHOC Footwear.
“If the security agencies with approximately 100,000 personnel demand more products, employee numbers will shoot up from 200 to 800 within 5 years,” Dr. Laryea said.
Additionally, he called on government to grant a waiver of taxes on imported raw materials for a five-year period spanning 2023 to 2028.
A business desk report