The Paramount Chief (Omanhene) for the Wenchi Traditional Area Ampem Osagyefo Anye Amoanpong Tabrako III has requested the Government to establish a Cashew Processing Factory and revamp the already existing Agricultural Facilities in the Wenchi Municipality under the Government’s One District One Factory (1D-1F) Project to create jobs and employment for people particularly the teeming youth of the area.The Paramount Chief requested the MCE Hon Alexander Obour Damoah and Bono Regional Minister Hon Justina Owusu Banahene during a grand durbar of chiefs and people of the Region for the Municipal and Regional joint celebration of the 39th National Farmers Day at Wenchi-Akrobi.
The Paramount Chief who was the Chairman for the occasion contended that Wenchi known to be the leading producer of cashews in Ghana amongst many other potentials should own a factory. “Mr President, Wenchiman is in dire need of Cashew Processing Factory and Warehouses to add value to our Cashew rather than just exporting the raw beans, we are pleading with you to grant us one of the One District One Factory (1D -1F) Projects”, he stressed.
He appealed to government to also revamp the Wenchi Tomatoes Processing/Canary Factory popularly known as (Tomacan) which used to employ over 1,000 people and process various farm produce like juices, tomato puree, etc. as well as the revival and redevelopment of other already existing Agricultural Facilities in the Wenchi Municipality such as Subinja Irrigation Farm, Branam State Farms, Wenchi Agric College, Research Station, Cocobod Coffee Seedlings Station, Animal Husbandry, Buffer Stock Company/Commodity Exchange, etc.
Ampem Osagyefo Anye Amoanpong Tabrako III also asked for the expansion and further upgrade of the Wenchi Agriculture College into a University to provide the necessary education and skills.
The Paramount Chief bemoaned the over-dependence on rain-fed agriculture without considering deliberate efforts and policies to undertake an effective Irritation System to assist the nation all year round to harvest enough farm produce and foodstuffs to feed our populace and prepare some for export to boost foreign exchange; until then, the popular adage that “Agriculture is the backbone of the country” may remain a mere talk.
He also bemoaned the use of chemicals on farm produce and land, noting that some of these chemicals are hazardous and injurious to human health when consumed. People develop illnesses and complications causing a rush for medical support and dialysis machines which are not common to the common Ghanaian. He implored the Government to critically assess and review the use of chemicals on the market and rather encourage our farmers to grow organic crops.
He further advocated for large-scale farming to create job opportunities and necessary skills for the youth. He assured of arable land available and invited all Agricultural industry stakeholders to the Municipality for industrial and value-added agriculture to help realise the collective dream of making Wenchi the Agriculture and Agro-processing hub.
source: ISD-WMA