In the era of Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a slew of industrialization projects were launched with the goal of boosting local production, manufacturing, and creating avenues for export.

Within a mere six years of gaining independence in 1957, Ghana swiftly transformed into a manufacturing hub for boats, car tires, television sets, refrigerators, and various other products catering to both domestic needs and international markets.

A survey featured in the state-owned Daily Graphic, dated November 30, 1962, shed light on the flourishing state of Ghana's local industries under Nkrumah's leadership.

The survey highlighted Ghana's self-sufficiency in producing safety matches, paints, alcoholic beverages, biscuits, canned fruits, roofing materials, cooking utensils, meat, and fish within the short span since gaining independence.

The newspaper clippings, titled 'Made in Ghana: A Survey of Local Industries,' also revealed the establishment of Ghana's own chemical factory dedicated to producing insecticides and various chemicals.

The report proudly stated, "We also have a brewery, a milk processing plant, and a lorry and bicycle assembly plant. Overall, we can take pride in over ninety industries thanks to the government’s comprehensive industrial program. This program comprises five main sectors: state-owned enterprises, enterprises owned by foreign private interests, enterprises jointly owned by the state and foreign private interests, cooperatives, and finally, small-scale Ghanaian enterprises."

See the full list of items Ghana was producing locally below:

• Safety matches

• Paints

• Alcoholic drinks

• Biscuits

• Canned fruits

• Roofing materials

• Cooking utensils

• Meat and Fish

• Boats

• Tyres

• Television Sets