The Paramount Chief of the Komenda Traditional Area in the Central Region, Okatakyie Komeh VIII, has opined his calls for the government to operationalize the long-idle Komenda Sugar Factory.

The chief has emphasized that reviving the sugar factory would be a significant step towards creating sustainable jobs for the youth in the area and boosting the local economy.

Okatakyie Komeh VIII made this expression while speaking as the guest of honor at the Kafudzidzi Kotobri Festival on Saturday 1st, October, 2025, celebrated by the people of Kafudzidzi, a suburb of the Komenda Traditional Council.

He highlighted the factory's potential to drive economic growth and provide employment opportunities for the people of Komenda and beyond. He lamented that the factory's inactivity over the years has been a major setback for the Komenda Traditional Area's development.

"The Komenda Sugar Factory is the heart of the town, so I plead with the Trade Minister and the government to help and operationalized the factory," he observed.

The Komenda Sugar Factory, valued at $35 million, has the capacity to produce sugar and ethanol, reducing Ghana's reliance on sugar imports.

The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, has stated that operationalizing the factory could create approximately 7,500 jobs for the youth in the region, as the government plans to plant high-yielding sugarcane varieties to support the factory's operations.

Despite the enthusiasm, the factory's revival has been hindered by challenges, including a shortage of raw materials, missing machine parts from the factory, among others.

The government has expressed commitment to operationalizing the factory as part of its industrialization agenda and 24-hour economy policy.

President Mahama has instructed the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry to compile a detailed report on the factory's current condition, after which he will take decisive steps to restart operations.

However, the Komenda Traditional Council has reiterated its support for the factory's revival, emphasizing that it would significantly contribute to the growth of Ghana's economy.

Sompaonline.com//Francis Thompson