Assin South, Ghana – Overgrown weeds and dense vegetation have completely engulfed a multi-million dollar One District One Factory (1D1F) starch processing facility at Kyekyewere in the Assin South District of the Central Region. The project, intended to be a hub for agro-industrial growth and job creation, now stands as a stark monument to stalled development, leaving local youth facing persistent unemployment.
A Vision for Growth Stalled
Launched under former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s flagship 1D1F initiative, the factory was designed to transform the region’s abundant cassava harvests into starch for both domestic consumption and export. Financed by a coalition including the African Development Bank (AfDB), IFAD, and the Government of Ghana, the facility promised to create thousands of jobs, add value to agricultural produce, and empower graduates with technical skills.
Construction commenced around 2019 with ambitious goals to reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen farmer-processor linkages, boost rural incomes, and earn foreign exchange by decreasing import reliance. The factory aimed to produce essential items like flour, starch, gari, and ethanol.
A Landscape of Neglect
However, the project ground to a halt, reportedly due to funding shortfalls, procurement delays, and logistical challenges. A recent visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed a facility resembling a derelict jungle. Rusted equipment lies scattered, concrete slabs are cracked, and invasive vegetation has reclaimed the site. The access road to the factory is also in severe disrepair, further underscoring the dashed hopes of the local population.
Youth and Farmers Express Disappointment
Hundreds of young people in the surrounding communities, including Kyekyewere, Nsuam, Darmang, and Ngyresi, who had completed secondary or vocational training, had pinned their hopes on the factory for employment.
Leave a Reply