Residents of the Komenda Edina Aguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region are accusing President Akufo-Addo of failing to deliver on his promises to make the Komenda Sugar Factory operational.
Their frustration has grown as the government has opted to import raw and unrefined sugar while neglecting the factory for eight years.
Joy New’s Richard Kwadwo Nyarko reports that, aside from the initial $35 million investment by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, the incumbent government claims to have invested over GH¢50 million into the factory.
Five years ago, President Akufo-Addo told the people of Komenda that, “The type of sugar we can grow here if properly organized, will yield good results.”
He also promised that “By April, production will commence at the sugar factory”.
The promise was made when some chiefs from Komenda visited him at the Jubilee House.
According to the then Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen in 2021, arrangements they had made showed that by the first quarter of 2022, the factory will start running again.
Despite these assurances, the factory remains inactive, and residents’ hopes have been repeatedly dashed.
“I no longer believe anything President Akufo-Addo says. His repeated promises have deceived us for the last four years, and the situation persists in his second term. The land could have been used for something valuable instead of being left in its current state. Many now see the Komenda Sugar Factory as a symbol of unfulfilled promises.”
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