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WENCHI: MP presents gari processing machines to communities

The Member of Parliament for Wenchi and Minister for Planning Professor George Gyan-Baffour has presented a set of Gari/Cassava Processing Machines to Beposo, Worompo, and Akrobi communities in his Constituency to enhance their capacity for mass production of gari to feed the local economy and beyond.

Date Created : 5/22/2020 3:12:25 AM : Story Author : Stanick Sofel Amuzu Kpodo/Ghanadistricts.com

The set of machines adds up to hairdressing and sewing equipment earlier presented to artisans of the informal sector in the Constituency to equip and empower them in their field of work. The gari processing equipment has cassava processor, starch quizzer, dryer, frying/steaming pan, which do not require electricity before an operation.

Handing over the multi-purpose set of machines to the beneficiary communities, the MP advised them to make good use of the equipment and exhibit maintenance culture for its long life span. He urged them to form associations so they could easily receive further support. The MP assured of his focus on building the capacity of the informal sector to strengthen the local industry.

The Municipal Chief Executive Dr Prince Kwakye Afriyie said it has always been the commitment of the government to empower our citizenry hence the introduction of the One District One Factory (1- D 1-F) policy, being a proof of innovation and "thinking outside the box". The programme forms part of the Rural Enterprises Project (REP).

A Business Development Officer Frank Gyan Owusu-Ansah of the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) under the National Board for Small Scale Industry (NBSSI) of the Ministry of Trade said the project by the MP would bring an end to the tonnes of rotten cassava in the area because of lack of machinery.

The NBSSI, as the supervisory department tasked to oversee the course, has assured to make the municipality gari hub.

Opinion leaders including Assembly Members and the traditional authorities of the beneficiary communities who received the equipment said the gesture was timely and their handy work and skills would be enhanced. They disclosed that they nearly gave up because they seemed crippled in their scheme of work due to the lack of machinery.