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The defunct Kumasi Shoe Factory is set to begin production in January, 2013, following its take-over by the Ghana Armed Forces. Installation of equipment has been completed while test production is in progress. In an interview with Graphic in Kumasi, the Public Relations Officer of the company, Ms. Vida Dela Gavor, said actual production would begin in January 2013 by which time, the factory hands would have completed training. The new footwear producing company would be the sole supplier of boots for personnel of all the public security services including the Police, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Immigration Service, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, National Security and the Ghana Prisons Service. It would also supply boots to private security agencies. The shoe factory, which was the footwear division of the erstwhile Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC), situated at Kyirapatre in Kumasi, was set up by the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah-led CPP Government to produce boots for personnel of the public security services, and the general public. The company was however left to collapse after the overthrow of the Nkrumah regime until the current government took steps to have it revived. The company is now under the direction of the Defence Industries Holding Company (DIHOC) and currently has 36 workers. They are made op of administrative staff and 30 factory hands are on a six-week intensive training on the boots production processes. Ms Gavor said the first of three-line production machines have been installed and tested, waiting for the take off According to the PRO, the company planned to engage a total of 1,500 workers when at full production. Ms Gavor said the company would not eject any of the 15 institutions that have been occupying the premises following the collapse of the Kumasi Shoe Factory. However, a new agreement was being negotiated with them to ensure cordial relationship.