Weeds have overgrown a government-funded cassava processing facility in Assin South. This idle project raises worries about Ghana's One District One Factory (1D1F) programme. The facility stands unused in Kyekyewere, Central Region.
The project is part of the ENABLE Youth initiative. This initiative receives funds from the African Development Bank (AfDB). IFAD and the Ghanaian government also provide financial support. Sources say this Assin South site is one of 19 ENABLE Youth factories lacking processing equipment funds. No machines were installed. This means no jobs were created.
When journalists visited, the building was empty. It lacked processing and office equipment. Weeds covered the entire compound. Construction began in 2019. The building was finalized in early 2022. Funding for equipment never arrived. Residents had hoped for agro-processing and jobs. The structure, including a transformer, cost over GHS 1,500,000.00. Land costs were separate.
Initially planned for oil palm, the project shifted to cassava processing. The Assin South District Assembly consulted on this change in 2023. A new Agenda 111 hospital is located very close to the factory. Cassava processing poses environmental risks. Experts warn about smoke, strong odours, and wastewater. These issues could affect nearby healthcare facilities.
Former District Chief Executive Mrs. Felicia Amissah Ntrakwah voiced these proximity concerns. This siting decision was made in 2023. This was a year after the factory building was finished. The Rural Enterprises Programme and District Assembly received the building then. Residents in surrounding villages, like Kyekyewere and Nsuam, are disappointed. They expected employment opportunities. Some youth also anticipated training in processing and packaging.
Local farmers worry about processing options. Little product development has occurred. No final decision was made on end products. This is because the project never got equipment or operational funds. Questions remain about the factory's future. Securing additional funding is uncertain. The lack of operational equipment has effectively turned the project into a costly white elephant.
The stalled project highlights broader challenges within the 1D1F programme. Many districts have seen similar delays. This programme aims to industrialise Ghana. It seeks to add value to local resources and create employment. However, funding and logistical hurdles often impede progress. The GHS 1,500,000.00 invested in the building alone represents significant public expenditure. Its current state of disuse represents a loss of potential economic benefit for the Assin South District.