Weeds have completely taken over a multi-million dollar starch processing factory in the Assin South District. The venture, part of the government's One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, lies unused and overrun by vegetation. This project was intended to boost local economies and create jobs.
The factory received significant funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB), IFAD, and the Ghanaian government. It was designed to process cassava into starch for both domestic consumption and export. However, the construction, which started around 2019, stalled due to issues like funding shortfalls and procurement delays. The site is now a visual representation of unrealized potential, affecting hundreds of unemployed young people in the area.
The 1D1F program aims to drive industrial growth across Ghana. This particular factory was meant to be a cornerstone for agro-industrial development in the Central Region. It aimed to increase value addition for cassava, a widely grown crop, and reduce post-harvest losses. By linking farmers, processors, and markets, the factory was expected to improve rural incomes and support national efforts to earn foreign exchange. The government's goal was to lessen reliance on imported goods and foster local production of items like flour, gari, and ethanol.
A visit to the site near the Assin Fosu-Kumasi highway revealed a scene of neglect. Rusted equipment and cracked concrete are now covered by dense greenery. The road leading to the factory is also in poor condition. Many youths in nearby communities like Kyekyewere and Nsuam, who had expected employment, now express deep disappointment. One anonymous young man told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that while they were promised around 500 jobs, they only see weeds and observe snakes on the premises.
Daniel Kwasi Atta, a 28-year-old unemployed graduate, shared similar sentiments. He had anticipated jobs and training in processing, packaging, and even management. Comfort Gyamfi, an agriculturist, expressed her frustration, having studied agriculture with hopes of working at the factory. Instead, she now runs a small shop and sells fried yam. Farmers are also facing hardship as they lack a steady buyer for their cassava. Samuel Jackson, a farmer, had expanded his farm anticipating demand but suffered losses due to the absence of buyers, forcing him to sell at low prices or let produce rot. Many farmers are now reluctant to plant cassava again.
A former District Chief Executive, Felicia Amissah Ntrakwah, confirmed that the facility was completed and state-funded. It was awaiting official operations before her term ended in 2024. She did mention concerns about its proximity to an Agenda 111 hospital. Officials at the Assin South District Assembly expressed ignorance about the project. Some claimed they had never seen documents related to its construction, as it was a central government project. Others admitted they had never visited the site.
The abandonment of the factory raises questions about accountability and transparency. Taxpayers deserve answers regarding the project's costs and why it remains idle. The situation highlights potential inefficiencies in the implementation of large-scale industrial projects. Investors and citizens will be watching for official responses and corrective actions.