Some residents of Ashaiman have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to consider establishing agro-processing factories in the municipality as part of the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
According to them, building such factories would increase the employment rate and boost local economic growth for residents to contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
They noted that Ashaiman had energetic youth who were eager to contribute to national development; however, the lack of industries was hindering their potential.
In an interview with a cross-section of the public, Mr Victor Ackah, a businessman, said the country’s hard-working farmers were trying to contribute their quota to national development. However, they suffered post-harvest losses almost every year due to the lack of agro-processing factories.
He said having such factories in the country, including Ashaiman, would also help curb the losses the farmers incur while preserving food for the country and exportation.
“We have able farmers in the country; look at the farm produce that gets spoilt every year. We don’t have storage facilities, but if there’s a processing company here, we will add value to the goods, and everybody will benefit,” he said.
Mr Evans Asenso Essel, another resident, said the country was blessed with natural resources, with agriculture playing a major role in Ghana’s development and that such factories would help boost the sector.
He urged the government to increase investment in the sector, noting that such an investment would impact the country positively, suggesting that the youth must be given technical training to man the factories.
He added that empowering the youth in technology would help them to also explore entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector.
Some residents also suggested the establishment of a textile, logistics and transport company to absorb the teeming unemployed youth.
Mr. Benjamin Kwesi Bayor, an unemployed man, emphasised the pressing need for jobs in the municipality, noting that the unavailability of industries in the area compelled most of the youth to venture into the informal sector and other unhealthy ways to make money.
He mentioned that the textile industry is full of opportunities, and implementing the 24-hour system would help maintain a steady income for the country.
Reporting by Stephen Freeman, Accra.
