Wenchi Tomato Factory begins trial production

Wenchi (B/A) Nov. 9, GNA - The re-activated Tomato Factory at Wenchi in Brong Ahafo currently on trial production, processed 50 tons of tomatoes a day, Mr. Godwin Anang, Production Manager said at Wenchi, at the weekend. Mr Anang, Mr Ben Larbi, Project Engineer and Mr. Humphrey Tetteh, Production Manager-Trainee were conducting Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Deputy Minister of Information, who is on a week's tour of the region round the various sections of the factory.

He said the three processing stages of the raw tomatoes protect production from unwarranted elements.

Mr Anang added that Afrique Link, German Development Cooperation (GTZ), Unilever Ghana Limited and Wenchi District Assembly were running the administration and technical aspects of the rehabilitation of the factory. When completed and assumes full production, the nation will achieve significant economic growth, as the processed tomatoes will be exported, the production manager said, adding that the factory currently has 50 staff and 100 casual labourers.

Mr Larbi, could, however, not tell how much tonnage the factory would produce when in full gear nor when the trial would end, as there could be unexpected shortfalls as well as shortage of raw materials.

Mr. Joe Danquah, Wenchi District Chief Executive, told the press at the Factory site that raw tomatoes to feed the factory for the trial production were supplied by tomato farmers at Beposo, Awisa and Nchiraa, all in the district.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng expressed satisfaction with the performance of the workers who were met busily working and urged them to give their maximum support in the rehabilitation and full operation of the long-abandoned factory.

The factory was abandoned shortly after the military overthrow of the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on February 24, 1966.

During a courtesy call on Osagyefo Abrefa Mmore Bediatuo V1, Omanhene of Wenchi Traditional Area and the Queen Mother Nana Atoa Saman Gyedua III, The Deputy Minister appealed to Nananom to help establish the Mutual Health Insurance Scheme in the district.

He expressed surprise that though the national scheme was scheduled to take off next January some districts in the region had not showed any positive signs to establish it.

The Government is committed to support each district with some funds to support the operation of the scheme in the districts, he said and asked districts that had not as yet started anything to speed up before January to enjoy the government's offer.

Osagyefo Mmore-Bediatuo appealed for the provision of the necessary equipment for the District's Information Office, including a cinema van, telephone and other communication gadgets to ensure its efficient operations.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng noted that this appeal had been made in all the nine out of the 13 districts that he had visited "and this testifies that the interpretation of Government policies was falling short at the villages".

He said there were only 24 cinema vans throughout the country when the NPP assumed office, but added that since it was a popular demand not only in Brong-Ahafo but also Western, Ashanti and Central Regions where he had toured, he would make sure that it was met.

The government will not only stuff the district offices of the Information Services Department with a van each but also other essential gadgets like Fax machines, telephones, Computers and others to facilitate their effective operations.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng later addressed a meeting of Departmental Heads and members of Wenchi District Assembly.

At Techiman, Mr. Asamoah-Boateng expressed his shock to find the District Assembly Office closed and staff, including the DCE, Mr Isaac Osei-Antwi, gone home on arriving there from Kintampo at 1730 hours. He deplored the conduct of the DCE, heads of departments and the Assembly's staff for their absence as they had been served with an official notice about his tour.

The Deputy Minister and his entourage moved to the DCE's residence but met his absence and it was not until he had sent the Regional Information Officer to enquire from ASTA FM and CLASSIC FM, two local FM radio stations about his appointment with them that the DCE appeared at the residence. Despite that experience, however, Mr. Asamoah-Boateng was on air at each of the two stations and explained and clarified government policies and national issues after phone-in calls from interested listeners. 9 Nov. 03