Help revive coconut factory - DCE appeals to investors

District Chief Executive (DCE) for Jomoro in the Western Region, Ernest Kwofie, is calling for the revival of the coconut processing factory in the district.

According to him, it appears investors and corporate entities in the country had lost sight of the economic value in the processing and sale of coconut related products.

He made this revelation on the sidelines of a day’s conference organised by Ghana Export Promotion Authority.

It was aimed at helping the MMDCEs in the Western Region to identify one exportable product in their district.

He intimated that the coconut factory when revived would contribute immensely to the country’s export earnings and create jobs for the teeming youth within the district.

Mr Kwofie recounted how the defunct coconut factory used to process coconut fiber into fertilisers for exportation had to collapse due to the cost of production and unfair trade practices.

“The coconut factory in its prime time did process coconut fiber into fertilisers and they were exporting it to the Caribbean which was fetching the country much foreign exchange and also created lot of jobs for the local people…but owing to cost of production and unfair trade practices the factory had to collapse. The nation is losing revenues,” he indicated.

He added that Jomoro District was noted for its production of coconut oil for the local market.

In this regard, Mr Kwofie said he was positive that that factory when revived will produce processed coconut oil in larger quantities, which will be exported to other countries.

He therefore, called on investors and corporate entities to take advantage of the one district one factory policy and set up factories to fully utilise the resources which were in abundance in the district.

Mr Kwofie reiterated that “Jomoro District is expecting more than one factory, because aside from coconut which is in abundance in the district, Jomoro also has oil and other cash crops… therefore, investors should take advantage of the policy of one district one factory and troop into the district and set up factories to leverage on these resources.”

He however, asserted that his office was opened to welcome investors, and assured providing a business friendly environment for businesses to strive.