Sugar cane out-growers have issued a one-week ultimatum to the government, demanding immediate engagement to clarify arrangements for procuring their sugar cane for the Komenda Sugar Factory.
National Executives, led by Chairman Samuel Mensah, expressed their displeasure at a recent emergency press conference, criticizing the government’s decision to import semi-refined sugar for the factory’s operations without first consulting local farmers.
The out-growers have also called on the Minister for Trade and Industry, K.T. Hammond, to explain the rationale behind this decision and to outline how the government plans to integrate locally-produced sugar cane into the factory’s operations alongside the imported semi-refined sugar.
This ultimatum follows the Minister’s announcement of plans to lease the Komenda Sugar Factory to West African Agro Limited, an Indian firm, for a renewable 15 to 20-year term.
The out-growers, represented by their Secretary Nana Andoh VI, warned that if the government fails to address their concerns, they will mobilize to campaign against the ruling party.
Mr Andoh criticized the government’s lack of support for local sugar cane production under the Planting for Food policy, stating that the administration has failed to help farmers expand their production to meet the factory’s needs.
