The Akontombra Rice Factory project which is part of Government of Ghana’s initiative to decentralize industrialization and support underdeveloped communities to add value to their agricultural produce was handed over to the community at a short ceremony held on Wednesday, 5th May, 2021.
The facility which was funded by the African Development Bank was constructed by the Rural Enterprises programme of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The technical handing over ceremony was graced by the Hon. Member of Parliament, Alex Djornobouah Tetteh, Hon. District Chief Executive, Amoah Yawson, the Director of Rural Enterprise Programme, Mr. Kwasi Attah- Antwi, various Heads of Departments/ Units and agencies, Chiefs and Elders, Clergy and representatives of farmer groups within the district.
The Hon. Member Parliament in his address expressed gratitude to the Traditional Authorities in Akontombra and the Rural Enterprise Programme for supporting his vision in the establishment of the factory in the District. He said the completion of the facility fulfilled parts of the promises made to the people by the NPP Government.
Hon. Alex D. Tetteh revealed that a total of 20,000 farmers would benefit from the distribution of fertilizers from the Ministry of Agriculture as part of measures to enhance the cultivation of rice that would feed the facility when fully operational. He added that 1000 fertilizers had already been received and would be distributed to the farmers as soon as possible.
He used the platform to solicit for cooperation from the Chiefs and farmer groups to work hard in making the facility’s operations “one of the best” in the country.
The REP Director, Mr. Kwasi Attah-Antwi, explained that the factory is one of only five Common User Facilities (CUF) being established by REP nationwide. He explained the CUF initiative constitute the other aspects of the 1D1F policy where the Government itself is the promoter of the establishment of factory.
Notwithstanding, Mr. Attah-Antwi indicated that the Akontombra Rice CUF factory will be owned and managed by the rice farmers and farmer groups in and around Sefwi Akontombra.
He pointed to the instrumental role by the Hon. Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kojo Kyeremanteng for getting the factory to be located in the District. He praised the President of the republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo for the introduction of the 1D1F policy and the Industrial transformation agenda. completion of the project. He also expressed gratitude to the African Development Bank for funding the establishment of the project.
Speaking for and on behalf of the people, Nana Kweku Ebie II, Chief of the Akontombra Traditional Council, expressed gratitude to the NPP government and the Hon. MP for a good work done. He pledged his support to allocate lands for the cultivation of rice that would be needed for the mass production
SCENES FROM THE HANDING OVER CEREMONY
