MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING

According to the 2010 PHC, this sector employs only about 8.1% of the District’s labour force. There are very few manufacturing and processing industries. This may be due to inadequate basic socio-economic infrastructure such as roads, potable water, means of communication, and low electricity coverage.

There is one timber processing plant located at Nyankumasi-Ahenkro and another bamboo processing plant located at Assin Nsuta. The rest are small-scale sawmills and agro-processing centers located mainly in the rural areas. These small-scale agro-processing units are mainly in oil palm, cassava and distillation of local gin (Akpeteshie). Besides these agro processing units, there are a large number of artisanal workshops including carpentry, masonry, Hairdressing, Tailoring and Garages.

Table 15: Types of Agro Processing Industry

Table 8: Non-Agro Processing Industry

Source: BAC and MoFA – DADU – ASSIN SOUTH 2014 1)

Main Constraints in the Manufacturing Industry

The main constraints facing the manufacturing sector in the District are:

v Cumbersome processing and delays in release of loans
v Low electricity coverage and frequent power outages.
v Poor telecommunication and road network system.
v High poverty rate
v High illiteracy rate
v Non availability of land banks

There are however some interventional packages:

1. Donor assistance e.g. ITTU/RTF under the Rural Enterprises Project to provide credit/input facilities through the BAC.
2. Relief International and BAC Credit Schemes.
3. Government community grid extension system for the extension of electricity to the rural areas

MINING AND QUARRYING

Another emerging economic activity in the District is stone quarrying located at Dadieso, Domeabra, Asamankese and Bosomadwe. Whiles the stone quarrying at Dadieso is done on a larger scale; that of Bosomadwe is on small scale. They provide employment to the people, support the construction industry and also serve as a source of revenue to the District Assembly. Though, there are speculations of mineral deposits at Assin Manso and assin Bosomadwe, they are yet to be mined.