Government urged to re-open sugar factories

An appeal has been made to government to expedite action in the re-acquisition of the Komenda and Asutuare sugar factories which were abandoned some years ago.

Dr Assuah Kwesie, Western Regional Chairman of the Convention People's Party (CPP) made the appeal at the Jomoro constituency conference of the party at the weekend.

He noted that the re-acquisition of the two sugar factories would go a long way to save the country several millions of cedis spent on importation of sugar from Cuba every year.

He said the re-acquisition of the two sugar factories would also offer employment for the unemployed youth in the country.

Dr Kwesie noted that the unemployment rate is mounting higher and higher everyday and said unless drastic measures were taken, the crime rate would also go up.

He said sometimes, "it is not the intention of one to commit a crime but he or she is compelled by hunger and necessity to indulge in a crime like stealing".

Dr Kwesie suggested that government should initiate an attractive agricultural programme that would entice the youth to go back to the land.

He said free acquisition of land, provision of free seedlings, supply of needed agricultural implements, pesticides, Wellington boots and farming overalls as well as a small monthly allowance could attract most of the youth to go back to the land

Dr Kwesie said poor planning on the part of successive governments after Dr Kwame Nkrumah had made Ghana a nation of sellers instead of producers.

"Today, all able bodied people have gone into trading leaving only the poor aged people to produce the food we all need to survive.

He warned that if the trend was not changed, the country would one day face famine.