President John Dramani Mahama has ordered a comprehensive audit of the Buipe Sheanut Factory, which has been non-operational for some time.

He accused the previous administration and the management of the US$10 million agribusiness facility of misusing funds meant to sustain its operations.

Established in 2012 as a joint venture between the Government of Ghana and Sysgate Brazil Limited, the factory was designed to add value to sheanut products and create employment, particularly for women in the Savannah Region.

According to Mahama, the Nana Addo-led administration, which took over in 2016, not only depleted the factory’s capital but also sold off stockpiled sheanuts that could have been processed for revenue.

Speaking during a meeting with the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee, and Sheanut Farmers Association (COCOSHE), Mahama emphasized the need for an audit to hold those responsible for the factory’s mismanagement accountable.

“The factory was running well with capital and a stock of sheanut when the change of government happened. The new administration spent the capital, sold the raw materials, and spent that money too. After exhausting all resources, the factory had to shut down and lay off workers,” he stated.

Mahama stressed that such financial mismanagement must not go unpunished, insisting that those responsible should face consequences.