Komenda Sugar Factory premises have become a habitat for grasscutters and a breeding ground for reptiles, as neglect and abandonment have taken their toll on the once-promising facility.
Constructed during the tenure of NDC’s John Dramani Mahama, the factory, which was on the brink of completion, now languishes in decay amidst overgrown vegetation.
Initially projected to provide employment for over 700 unemployed youth in Komenda and neighbouring areas, the factory now stands as a symbol of broken promises and unfulfilled potential.
EIB Network’s Central Regional Correspondent, Yaw Boagyan, visited the factory and witnessed firsthand the grim state of affairs. Machinery lies rusted and broken, while the factory’s roofing sheets are torn, further exacerbating its deterioration.
The sugarcane fields intended to feed the factory now lie neglected, overrun by weeds and scavenged by local residents for sustenance.
Disillusionment prevails among the community, with residents expressing deep disappointment in the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government for its failure to revive the factory.
They lament the missed opportunity for economic empowerment and vow to withhold their support from the NPP in the upcoming general election, citing their dashed hopes for a better future.
Residents of Komenda express deep disappointment in former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen, who hails from the area, for his perceived failure to operationalize the abandoned sugar factory during his tenure.
In a bizarre turn of events, the factory was briefly opened for operation in 2023 during a visit by Alan Kyerematen, only to be shut down again just three days later, leaving the community perplexed and frustrated.
Faced with the prospect of continued neglect, residents voice their intention to throw their support behind the NDC in the upcoming elections, citing the party’s role in initiating the factory’s establishment.
They express hope that the NDC’s vice-presidential candidate, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who hails from Komenda, will champion efforts to complete and operationalize the facility.
While the government has hinted at negotiations to revive the factory, residents also highlight the urgent need for improved infrastructure, particularly the deplorable state of the area’s roads, which further compounds their plight.
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