Fruit processing factory commissioned in Volta Region

A $1.5 million (?10.5 billion) fruit processing factory, known as Tongu Fruits Ghana Limited, has been commissioned at Nutekpor-Agave, near Sogakope in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region.

The company acquired 200 acres of land from the chiefs and people of the Agave Traditional Area on which it cultivates pineapples on irrigated plots for processing at the factory for export and the local market.

The company intends to cultivate 700 acres within the next three years, with a view to increasing its exports to 100 tonnes a week and to offer job avenues to more than 1,000 people.

The company was incorporated by a Dutch national, Mr Den Heiger, and local partners under the Dutch government support for emergency markets, in consonance with the national Free Zone project, aimed at attracting foreign direct investment into the country.

Commissioning the project the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboah, on behalf of President John Agyekum Kufuor, said the establishment of the factory through private initiative gives practical meaning and effect to the avowed policy of the government of creating and developing a private sector economy.

“The government will continue to provide the requisite physical infrastructure and a very supportive legal framework to facilitate an enabling environment for successful and mutually beneficial private investment and enterprise in the country,” said Mr Owusu Yeboah.

The regional minister expressed satisfaction with the location of the factory at a typical rural setting, adding that it will impact positively on the quality of life of the inhabitants of the area by providing them with job opportunities and regular incomes.

He appealed to landowners and traditional rulers to assist the company by releasing adequate and dispute-free land to ensure that the vision of the company is realised.

The Food and Agriculture Minister, Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), said the government is determined to use agriculture as the basis for the industrialisation of the country, in view of the sector’s contribution of about 41 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said several interventions of improved husbandry techniques over the years have contributed immensely to the increase in pineapple exports from about 9, 000 metric tonnes in 1992 to about 35, 000 metric tonnes last year.

He, therefore, said the project, which was initiated by the erstwhile NDC government, supports the NPP government’s initiative to quicken the pace of agricultural growth and rural development, adding that the project has come at a time when the need to diversify the agricultural base of the economy has become even more relevant.

The minister assured management of the company of the necessary support towards the establishment of an outgrower scheme to create employment for the youth in the area.

He advised exporters to adhere to codes of practice on food safety and health issues as dictated by consumers in foreign markets, adding that they should adopt good agricultural practices by refraining from using agro-chemicals in farming.

The Member of Parliament for South-Tongu, Mr Ken Dzirasah, said the factory is in fulfilment of his pledge to help uplift living standards in his constituency and promised continued support to facilitate its growth.

He lamented the litigation over the Quality Grain Rice Project since it is a project, which is also sited in his constituency and also a manifestation of the enormous potential of irrigation farming to boost the agrarian economy and to turn the local economy around.

For his part, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the factory, Mr Heiger, said the factory started production in January, this year, and that the support of the local people is so far good.

He said the success of the project has proved that people of different cultures can work together. He commended Mr Dzirasah for his instrumentality in attracting investment to his area.

Mr Kwadwo Ntim Attuahene, Director of the Free Zones Board said, the operations of the company so far have had a healthy impact on the company, stating that its products have competed effectively on the European markets.

In a welcoming address, Togbui Azaxie Degenu III, Paramount Chief of Agave, commended the government for creating an enabling environment for foreign investment and private participation in economic development.

He appealed to government to extend the Emergency Social Relief programme to the area to help ameliorate some of the negative impacts caused by the construction of the Akosombo and Kpong dams.