Residents in Upper Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region say they are losing hope in government’s promise to establish a Cassava Processing Factory in the District under its flagship program One -District One -Factory.
In 2017, a ceremony was performed at the site earmarked for the project. Relatively huge billboards were also erected by the Member of Parliament for the area Joseph Tetteh raising hopes of the people.
However, three years down the line, there is no sign that the factory will be established as the billboards have damaged whereas the site has been taken over by weeds and reptiles.
Residents doubt the ability of the state to put up a factory with barely nine months to the general election.
“They said one district one factory, where is the Factory and where is the district? What is happening is bad, they were just deceiving us to get our votes but we have gone past this deception”
“They came to erect billboards three years ago as if thee factory was commencing but see even the billboards have broken down, reptiles and grass cutters have taken over the project site. Here we grow cassava and maize so if they say we don’t have cassava here hence the delay, which is not true “some Residents lamented
However, the District Chief Executive for Upper Manya Krobo, Felix Adjao Nartey had told Bryt Fm a few weeks ago that, the project has delayed due to bureaucratic processes the assembly had to go through in getting the factory established. He is however hopeful the factory will be established by the end of August.
”Indeed, the Process of having a factory is not a one-stop-shop; it is a process very long process. We have gone through all Processes. Now the Authorities especially, the Banks are asking that we have farms-what will call experimental farms. We are using two methodologies; we are using the out-grower system, and establishment of experimental farms. The out-grower system is because of our Land tenure system you cannot have a very large tract of land for the factory to have its own cassava and so we have registered 2,500 farmers whom we have supplied cassava sticks we brought from the Western region”
He added “the factory will come in operation, to give you a specific time that will be difficult.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
