US$11,000 oil palm extraction project inaugurated

The United States government has inaugurated a US$11,000 oil palm extraction project at Asekesu, a farming community, and its neighbours in the New Juaben Municipality.

The project, under the US Ambassador Self Help Project, is expected to create employment and sustainable development for six communities in the area. It is to be managed by the Peace and Love Association, an all-women group engaged in the production of palm oil.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Jimmy Mauldin, the Economic Counsellor of the US Embassy, said since the Self Help Project was introduced in 1990 the U.S Embassy has supported various projects with a total of US$1.7million.

He said this year alone the US Embassy has supported 11 organisations with a total of US$80,000 under the project, which is expected to make an impact on the beneficiary communities.

He said some of the conditions for accessing the grant are that the project should be initiated by a community or a non-governmental organisation, and it has to be sustainable.

It also does not have to depend on the US government for further support, he explained.

In a speech read on his behalf the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Kwabena Okyere-Kusi, expressed his appreciation to those who contributed to making the project successful toward creating sustainable employment in a completely rural community.

Mr. Appiah Kweku Boateng, Executive Director of 4-H Ghana-the implementing agency, said his organisation submitted a proposal on behalf of the Asekesu Community because it believed it could help improve livelihoods for the people there.

He said his organisation, which is a youth-focused group, trained the youth to acquire skills so that when they completed their education they could use the skills to employ themselves and create employment for others.

Mr. Boateng said 4-H Ghana, which started in the Eastern Region with two clubs in Koforidua in 2000, now has more than 700 clubs and reaches more than 48,000 young people in five regions.

Ms. Jane Kwapong of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, urged the women to unite and appealed to men in the area to support women in managing the facility to ensure its a success.

Mr. Samuel Tettey Komlorm, the Assemblyman for Asekesu Electoral Area, appealed for the provision of a tricycle to help transport palm fruit from the villages to the processing centre.

Ms. Abigail Ghama, Secretary of the Peace and Love Association, said with provision of the oil palm extraction facility, members of the Association can produce more palm oil.

She therefore appealed to the Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders to help the Association find a market for their produce, assuring that the Association will ensure that its members produce high-quality palm oil under the highest hygienic conditions without any additives or substances of adulteration.