A former employee of the Komenda Sugar Project Management Board has described the Akufo-Addo-led government as lacking the political will to operationalise the stalled Komenda Sugar Factory, over four years after its completion.
According to Ransford Chatman Vannie-Amoah, this is so because the ruling New Patriotic Party had taken monies from sugar importers for their 2020 electioneering campaign while promising to let the Factory stand idle till Akufo-Addo’s tenure ends in 2024.
“They will continue their blame games with Ghanaians till a new government assumes office,” he said.
He further alleged that it is also “a ploy to frustrate Alan Kyerematen's presidential ambition. Knowing very well that if the factory runs, Alan Kyerematen would take credit as a sector minister.
“Due to their internal party contest, the factory must rot away while the youth need jobs. Is it not insanity?”
He stated that following the rhetoric of the NPP since they assumed position following the 2017 elections, it is quite clear that the only stumbling block for the government to operationalize the Factory is the lack of raw material (sugar cane) to be processed yet that doesn’t seem to be forthcoming.
“Why have they failed to develop the canes since they assumed power? How many months does sugarcane take to mature and how many years have they (NPP) been in power?” he said.
Mr. Vannie-Amoah says should the Factory be operationalized it would meet the rapidly increasing demand for sugar in the country and the West African sub-region in general.
He explained, “Ghana has seen a significant rise in sugar importation since 2001. In 2013, sugar imports chalked the eighth-most valuable product and the fourth largest food import after rice, fish, and poultry.
“Ghana imported 463,000 Metric Tons of sugar in 2014 representing a 32.21% decline from 683,000 Metric Tons in 2013. There are however projections that the consumption of sugar in Ghana could rise to 872,000 Metric Tons in 2030.
“Similarly, the West Africa sub-region which is also forecast to experience rapid growth in sugar consumption also presents a potential sugar export market for Ghana.”
He added that “Currently, over US$400 million worth of sugar is imported into the country for both domestic and industrial use, and this represents about 80% of the total need of the nation per annum.
“The economy cannot afford this huge drain on its scarce foreign exchange reserve. There is an unbelievably huge market for sugar begging to be exploited. Therefore, there was the need that a sugar-producing factory be established in this country.”
He has, thus, called on the government to stop idling and operationalize the Komenda Sugar Factory especially now that the youth in the country are clamouring for jobs and better opportunities.
“If they do not have a copy of the painstaking feasibility studies conducted by the John Mahama/ NDC government, they should ask, and I will gladly provide them one to acquaint themselves,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s oil production to rebound in 2024 growing by 5% – Fitch Solution
15 mins -
Davido gifts fan $50K to clear off her student loan
19 mins -
Netflix: Profits soar after password sharing crackdown
21 mins -
OSP files additional charges against former PPA CEO Adjenim Boateng Adjei
24 mins -
Samuel Anini’s ‘Legacy of Hope’ to be launched in Finland
32 mins -
Fitch Solutions projects 19.0% average inflation for Ghana in 2024
32 mins -
Beijing half marathon: Top 3 stripped of medals after investigation
35 mins -
Nigerian Tunde Onakoya attempts to break chess marathon record
40 mins -
Government set to strip ECG of its billing, collection powers – Egyapa Mercer
45 mins -
We have to focus on Premier League now – Jurgen Klopp
53 mins -
Oil price rises as US says Israel has struck Iran
59 mins -
MPs open up about growing financial pressures and health challenges
1 hour -
Nigerian music star Simi talks charting her path to stardom, and why she still engineers her own music
1 hour -
You’ve got no power to impose fines on us – ECG board members to PURC
1 hour -
Ghana to host Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire Cocoa Initiative Headquarters
2 hours