President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the chiefs, elders and people of the Komenda traditional area that the much talked about Komenda Sugar factory will be fully operational in April 2022.
The Komenda sugar factory was commissioned on 30 May 2016 by the Mahama administration, but is yet to begin production because of what experts say was the lack of adequate planning for a constant source of raw materials to feed the factory.
Inherited state of Komenda Factory
On 18 October 2021, President Akufo-Addo, during a tour of the Central region, disclosed in an interview that as part of the plan of his government to revive the Kemenda sugar factory which he said was partial built by his predecessor President, a strategic investor, Park Agrotech Ghana Ltd, had been selected as the preferred strategic investor for the Komenda Sugar Factory, and their recommendation was approved by Cabinet.
He however hinted at the time that, negotiations between the transaction advisor (Pricewaterhouse) and the strategic investor has been unduly prolonged due to a number of demands made by the strategic investor, as well as the effects of the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted consultations between the investor and the transaction advisor.
With the delays in concluding negotiations between the transaction advisor and the strategic investor, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, after being given the required notice, terminated the negotiations with the strategic investor on 1 September 2021 for failing to fulfil the conditions precedent to the offer made to them.
The president indicated that the services of a technical partner with expertise in the sugar industry has been engaged to manage the technical operations of the factory.
In addition, traditional rulers in Komenda and the adjoining districts have been engaged to acquire large tracts of land to plant sugarcane. President Akufo-Addo, said at the time that he expects that the Komenda sugar factory will commence commercial production in the first quarter of 2022.
Completion of factory
Addressing a delegation of chiefs and elders of Komenda at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, when they paid a courtesy call on him, President Akufo-Addo said his briefing is that finishing works are expected to be completed on the factory by the end of the month of March to pave for processing work to start in April.
“Some civil works are still ongoing on the factory and hopefully by the grace of God they should be completed by the end of March. The Indians who are our partners as far as the project is concerned have assured us that by April, production will begin” President Akufo-Addo said.
“The Komenda sugar factory has become a topical issue in the country. My predecessor said he had completed it but a careful assessment of the project shows that it was complete in any way”.
“However, after all the setbacks, the completion of the factory is in progress and it is my fervent hope that this time round, it will become operational” Akufo-Addo continued.
Raw materials
Concerning the source of raw materials to feed the factory, President Akufo-Addo disclosed that he is reliably informed that the board of the factory has secured a 20,000 acre-land for purposes of growing sugarcane to provide the factory with constant supply of raw material for the factory.
The 20,000 acre-land is a lease arrangement between the Komenda sugar factory and the traditional council in the area where it is located.
Leader of delegation
Nana kwahin V, Twafohen, and acting President of the Komenda Traditional Council, in his comments commended government for putting aside all the politics that has surrounded the Komenda sugar factory and taking concrete sets in ensuring that the project becomes operational.
