Industries

The industrial sector is the smallest sector in the district, employing only about seven (7) per cent of the employed labour force. It is made up of agro-based industries (61.7 per cent), wood based industries (11.1 per cent) and clay based industries (6 per cent), all of which operate on small scales. Agro-based industry is made up of food processing and alcohol distilling. The wood based industry includes small-scale sawmilling and carpentry.  The metal-based industry consists of black smiths, while the clay-based industry includes pottery. No manufacturing facility of industrial significance is available in the District.

Almost all the industries employ labour intensive techniques of production and operate on a small scale.  Most of the people employed are apprentices. Over half of those in the sector do not have access to credit facilities. All industrialists self-finance their activities. The explanation may be that the sector is now developing in the district.  Unfortunately, the saving habits of the people in this sector are low.  Majority of the few people, who save do it at home which is rather risky and must be discouraged.  The formation of capital for reinvestment and further expansion is very slow.

Mining and Quarrying

Mining and prospecting for gold are being done in some parts of the district. However, it is done in a smaller scale and in rudimentary stage. Commercial quarries by Sonitra and West coast companies are being done at Yawkwei. These activities apart from giving employment have several negative environmental impacts on the residents who live in and around Yawkwei and Banka.

The main problems of the industrial sector include lack of financial support, inadequate market and low prices for commodities, storage and transportation.