A large foundry facility at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), which could provide space for more than 2,000 people to work and train, has been left largely dormant, with parts of the facility reportedly falling into disrepair.

In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb Business, Head of the Mechanical Workshop at GAEC, Dr Andrew Nyamful, said the foundry was designed to support industrial activity, skills development and training but is currently not being fully utilised.

The facility has reportedly become a shelter for reptiles, while parts of it have been broken into by thieves.

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According to Dr Nyamful, one section of the facility can accommodate more than 200 people, while another building has space for about 1,000 people.

“The C and C section alone, if I’m not mistaken, can take more than 200 people,” he stated.

He said the entire facility, including other structures within the compound, could accommodate more than 2,000 people.

Dr Nyamful also disclosed that there were plans to establish a school at the foundry where people could receive theoretical training before moving on to practical work.

The facility was also expected to include residential areas for workers and trainees.

However, the foundry is now facing neglect, with Dr Nyamful raising concerns about its security and deteriorating condition.

He said parts of the facility have been broken into, while the abandoned sections have become a breeding ground for pests and reptiles.

Dr Nyamful said he occasionally visits the facility to check on its condition and has encountered people who fled after seeing him.

He expressed concern that a facility capable of creating thousands of jobs and supporting skills development could be left unused.

“So how come that we put money into such a facility and then we leave it to rot like that? Meanwhile, we are all crying for jobs,” he said.

He questioned what other opportunities could be developed to create jobs for Ghanaians, arguing that the foundry itself represents a major opportunity if properly utilised.

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The Head of the Mechanical Workshop stressed that a facility of such scale should not remain dormant.

DR/MA

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