President John Dramani Mahama has broken ground to begin the reconstruction of the Komenda sugar factory, which was closed down in the 80s.
The $36.5million joint venture between the government of Ghana and the Indian government, which will be completed in 24 months, is expected to revive the factory.
Addressing chiefs and people of Komenda, President Mahama said the project has a capacity of producing 1,250 sugarcanes out of which 125 tonnes of pure white sugar will be produced.
“It’s a major integrated sugarcane project,” he pointed out.
The president said the project will also produce 3 megawatts of electricity out of which two shall be used to run the sugarcane plant.
An estimated 1,300 jobs are expected to be produced for industrial workers and small holder farmers while 5,000 indirect jobs are also expected to be created.
The Acting Indian High Commissioner Agamesh Kamar said the project is a symbol of Indian’s strong relations with Ghana.
He said the two countries will work side-by-side for the mutual development of the two countries.
The sugar factory was established by Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Business World (with notes from myjoyonline)