The National Executives of Sugar Cane out-growers, have issued a one-week ultimatum to the government to engage their members regarding the procurement of their sugar cane.
This demand follows the government’s decision to import semi-refined sugar to operationalize the sugar factory without consulting the local farmers.
At an emergency press conference, the executives voiced their strong disapproval of the government’s decision.
They called on the Minister for Trade and Industry, KT Hammond to explain the government’s plans and how they intend to buy the sugar cane currently in the system to complement the semi-refined sugar imports.
They warned that, failure to engage them would result in a massive campaign against the ruling government.
The Secretary of the group, Nana Andoh VI, who also spoke, said that as sugar cane out-growers, they were expecting the government to purchase the sugar cane already in the system while considering the importation of semi-refined sugar to complement what local farmers are producing.
They also hoped for large-scale sugar cane plantations to feed the factory.
He went on to express their disappointment that the government has failed to support farmers in growing more sugar cane under the government’s Planting for Food policy.
According to him, the government has failed the entire country.
Kwesi Panyin, a sugar cane farmer from Gomoa Awombrew urged the government to focus on sugar cane alongside cocoa due to its significant economic value.
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