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Business News of Tuesday, 22 August 2017

Source: thestatesmanonline.com

Sunyani to get two factories under one-district, one-factory project - MCE

Vegetables processing factory and another that'll process maize, other cereals are being considered Vegetables processing factory and another that'll process maize, other cereals are being considered

Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital, is likely to have two different factories under the government’s One-District, One-Factory policy, which is expected to be the main driver of the government’s industrialization programme meant to expand the economy and provide millions of jobs to Ghanaians.

According to the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Evelyn Ama Kusi-Richardson, following extensive stakeholder consultations with chiefs, opinion leaders, religious leaders and a cross-section of the people of the area, there could be a factory that would be dedicated to the processing of vegetables into powder for both domestic and industrial purposes as well as for export; and another factory that would process maize and possibly other cereals.

Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting held at the main Conference Hall of the Bob Pierce Guest House in Sunyani, the MCE said her outfit was still undertaking further consultations on the implementation of the One-District, One-Factory policy in the area to ensure that the people of the area reaped maximum benefits from the policy.

She said government would also support existing agro-processing factories in the area to expand their operations and employ more youth of the area.

Mrs. Kusi-Richardson said the Assembly would use part of its share of the $ 1 million per constituency to support the establishment of the factories while the remaining amount could go into provision of social amenities, among others.

Touching on the Planting for Food and Jobs campaign, which is also one of the government’s flagship programmes, the Sunyani MCE said the initiative was expected to boost food production, ensure food security, create jobs for people and ensure the availability of raw materials for industries.

The Sunyani Municipal Director of Agriculture, Francis Ennor, disclosed that about 3,000 farmers had been registered under the Planting for Food and Jobs campaign in the municipality.

The 3,000 farmers, he said had been supplied with improved seeds and fertilizers, and were into maize, rice and vegetable farming. The main vegetables being cultivated by the farmers, according to him are pepper, tomato and onion.

The Town Hall Meeting in Sunyani was well patronized by staff of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Nananom and the public at large.

The Akwamuhene of Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Kwaku Sarbeng and the Queen of Sunyani, Nana Yaa Nyamaa also graced the occasion.