A new gari processing factory has been established in Agbelitsom-Sekesua, within the Upper Manya Krobo district in the Eastern region, following the failure of the government’s One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative.
In 2019, the government had pledged to build a gari processing factory, securing and clearing seven acres of land for the project.
Despite then-Member of Parliament Joseph Tetteh erecting a billboard for the intended project in 2020, the initiative did not materialize, leaving the land overtaken by weeds and hundreds of cassava farmers stranded.
In response, current Member of Parliament Bismark Tetteh Nyarko has taken the lead, establishing a GHC 140,000 gari processing factory to support local farmers and traditional gari processors.
The factory, equipped with a high-powered motor, fryer, presser, and grater, was made possible through an appeal by the MP to the NGO Bella Africa.
The facility can fry between 30-50 maxi bags of gari daily, significantly boosting production capacity.
Bismark Tetteh Nyarko covered the costs of constructing the facility and connecting it to electricity.
Receiving the gari processing factory from Bella Africa, the MP expressed hope that the factory would economically empower women and alleviate poverty in the district.
He encouraged farmers to increase cassava cultivation to supply the new factory.
“I will not come to you and share money during election time; rather, I will provide such interventions to economically empower you and create employment so you can feed yourselves and your families,” Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko told the cheering beneficiaries.
He also stated that the factory would be included under the 24-hour Economy policy, aiming to produce and package gari for both local and international markets.
He commended Bella Africa for their support in stimulating the local economy and creating jobs.
A representative from Bella Africa reiterated the factory’s efficiency, emphasizing its capacity to produce gari quickly.
The representative urged the community to maintain the facility properly.
The inauguration was attended by chiefs from various communities around Sekesua, who criticized the New Patriotic Party government for not fulfilling its promise.
“It’s a shame that the NPP government couldn’t redeem their promise, but an opposition MP, Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, has done this in a very short time,” one chief concluded, drawing laughter from the gathering.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
