GCCI lauds gov’t on Komenda sugar factory

The Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has commended the government for initiating moves to resuscitate the sugar plant at Komenda, in the Edina Eguafo Abirem municipality of the Central Region.

“It is indisputable that there is a need for that giant step toward reviving the sugar factory, which has the potential to offer over 3,000 jobs for Ghanaians and also provides some raw materials for local industry. It is about time African leaders learnt to maintain and improve what they have to create sustainable developments for their people,” a statement released by the chamber stated.

GCCI is however wary of governments’ habit of abandoning feasible national businesses capable of creating sustainable jobs and bagging income into the pockets of citizens. The statement, signed by Dr. Seth Adjei-Baah, President of GCCI, further admonished government to put in place skilful hands capable of handling the project.

“The attitude where we leave viable national business ventures to rot should be a thing of the past if we are to witness any meaningful and progressive development as a nation. The government should put in place competent and qualified persons with the right technical and managerial skills to manage the project,” Adjei-Baah lamented.

The GCCI expressed optimism that the 2250 TCD Sulphurless sugar factory will help the country cut down on the huge sugar import cost and save the nation over US$300million, which will go a long way to strengthen the local currency. The statement also read that government should take steps to invigorate all other state ventures that are either dead or on the brink of collapsing.

The chamber also added that it is exciting that the Komenda project will contribute about three megawatts of electricity to the nation’s power grid: “Indeed, a project that has the capability of providing its own power for its activities and even adds to the national grid is worthwhile and calls for immense support from both government and the private sector”.

He acknowledged the pivotal role the private sector has to play and called for it to be keenly involved in operations of the factory in diverse ways.

President John Dramani Mahama, cutting the sod for the construction of the factory last Tuesday, called for use of local products and Dr. Adjei-Baah said: “We endorse the President’s call for the use of local products and hope we will all embrace and make it work. Those who will be employed should realise that the factory is for all of us and not the government."

The president of the chamber also pledged its commitment to do everything within its capability to assist in making the project a success.