President Nana Akufo-Addo on Tuesday visited Global Almas Processing Limited, a yam and cassava processing factory located in Bimbilla, in the Northern Region.

Taking the President on a tour of the factory, the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry and New Juaben South MP, Michael Okyere Baafi, said the company has taken advantage of the available local raw materials in the Nanumba and surrounding areas to process yam and cassava flour for both domestic and foreign markets.

According to the Deputy Minister, Global Almas has a land bank of more than 2,000 acres at Bimbilla, and additional land would be acquired as the operations expand with an anticipated increase in demand for products.

He noted that the factory produces 1,000 cartons of Yam Fufu Flour per day, under the brand name Almas Yam Fufu Flour, requiring the purchasing of 10,000 yams per day.

With respect to the cassava processing line, some 200 bags of cassava flour is produced daily, with the company engaging some 20 farming groups who have committed themselves to produce for the factory.

Mr Baafi indicated to President Akufo-Addo that the factory's total cost is pegged at GH¢9.2 million, with 60% equity contribution from the Promoter translating to about GH¢5.2 million.

The Ghana Exim Bank has also provided a credit facility amounting to GH¢1 million (10.8% of the total project cost) which was disbursed in February 2021.

Thus far, Global Almas has created more than 74 direct jobs, including Management, Supervisors, Food Scientists, Laboratory Technicians and Maintenance Technicians and women involved in peeling, cleaning, bagging, stitching, machine attendants and sorting of the yam/cassava.

In addition, over 400 additional Indirect jobs have been created for out-growers, transporters, harvesting team, packaging & handling, sales outlets, etc.

Already, the company has signed an agreement with Sinostone Ethanol Manufacturing Company located in Juapong to supply 1,000 tons of cassava chips every month.

Another agreement has been concluded with Bofas Company Limited located in Wa for the supply of 40-foot container of yam fufu flour every month for export to the US market.