Sugar cane outgrowers have given the government a week to interact with members and clarify the plans for obtaining their crop for the Komenda facility.
The government’s decision to import semi-refined sugar for the facility’s operation without consulting the National Executives, led by its National Chairman Samuel Mensah, drew harsh criticism from them during an emergency press conference.
They have also called on the Minister for Trade and Industry to explain the decision, and outline how they plan to buy their sugar cane to complement the imported semi-refined sugar.
This comes after Minister K.T. Hammond said that the government intended to lease the Komenda Sugar Factory to the Indian company West African Agro Limited for a term that may be extended by another 15 to 20 years.
According to the agitated out-growers, if the government fails to engage with them, they will mobilise their members to campaign against the ruling government.
Speaking next, the group’s secretary, Nana Andoh VI, stated that they were expecting the government to buy the sugar cane that was already in the system and that they were thinking about bringing in semi-refined sugar from abroad to supplement what the local farmers were growing.
To provide the factory with food, they also hoped for extensive sugar cane farms.
He continued by expressing his regret that, despite the government’s Planting for Food initiative, farmers have not received the assistance they need to increase their sugar cane production.
He says the entire nation has been let down by the government.