Small Scale Manufacturing and the Services Industries

Small-Scale Industries in the Municipality can be categorized into 5 groups. These are Agro-based Industries; Forest based Industries Textiles, Metal Works, and Services.  Fifty-Six percent of all these industries are agro-based.  These include Akpeteshie distilling, Pito brewing, baking, Corn milling and Gari Processing.

The next major groups are Forestry-based industries.  They include Carpentry and Charcoal burning.  This group accounts for 15% of all Establishments.  Mechanics and Blacksmiths are considered as Metal-based Industries and both account for 3% of all Establishments. The Service Industry includes Recreation (Hotels, Chop Bars, Beauty Salons and Barbers).

This situation compared with that of Ashanti Region in general shows a very abysmal performance indeed. In 2003, Ashanti region recorded an overall total of 6521 manufacturing establishments. Among the districts, KMA had the largest number of establishments with about 50.8%, followed by Asante Akim North registering 7.4%.  Kwabre, Sekyere East, Adansi West, Offinso and Amansie East followed in that order 6.6%, 6.1%, 4.6%, 3.5% and 3.33% respectively. Afigya Sekyere, Ahafo Ano South, Adansi East, Ejura-Sekyereadumase, Amansie West recorded 1.3%, 1.2%, 0.9%, 0.6% and 0.66% respectively. (Ghana Statistical Service, 2003 National Industrial Census Report). 

To improve the situation, there is the need to train more unemployed youth in employable skills, resource them financially (through credit) and assist them to enter into production The existence of Rural Enterprise Project is a potential. The various artisan groups and the unemployed shall be mobilized for the requisite training in employable skills. The Rural Technology Services Centre and the Rural Enterprise Project shall collaborate with the Association of Garages to manufacture the simple appropriate technology, tools and equipment to strengthen the manufacturing sector of the district economy. The district has also identified processing of cassava into various flour species for pastries. Consequently, the Sekyere West PSI Cassava Company has been duly registered with the Registry General’s Department. The Assembly in collaboration with the Regional Agricultural Station in Mampong, a five (5) multiplication project had taken off with the aim of producing and supplying cassava planting materials to farmers to increase the cultivation and production of cassava to feed the industry.

Processing, Storage and Marketing

Processing is mainly done by small-scale industrialists who mostly transform the produce into other forms for direct consumption like “Pito” brewing, Gari processing, oil palm extraction and soap making. 

Fifteen percent of farmers interviewed have no storage facility; these farmers are compelled to immediately sell off their produce.  Crops that can be left in the field are left until they are required fro either home consumption or for sale.  About 49% of the farmers store their produce in barns or cribs.  Another 22% store their produce in habitable rooms.  25% of farmers dispose of their produce through intermediaries whilst 35% sell their goods at the local market.