ADVERTISEMENT
10,000 jobs lost in cashew sector, Spio Garbrah says
At a meeting with industry players in Sunyani, Spio-Garbrah said an estimated 10,000 people lost their jobs due to shortage of cashew nuts to the processing companies in the region hence the ban.
In the statement that banned cashew export, the minister said “The survival of the industry which is processing cashew in Ghana is on the brink of collapse and will only survive on the availability of adequate supply of raw cashew nuts for processing.”
So far, one out of the 11 processing plants in the region is operating. The rest is folded up.
ADVERTISEMENT
Last week, the largest processing factory in the region, KONA Agro Processing Limited folded up over operational challenges.
The company, which employed 250 workers, many of whom were, used to process about 1,500 metric tons of raw cashew annually for export, the GNA reported.
The company's Director, Mr. Kwabena Taylor, said his outfit needed US$1.5 million to get back into business.
Spio Garbrah told the meeting that the ban on exportation of cashew nuts was in the interest of the country, adding that consultations at various levels were ongoing to come out with the best decisions which will stand the test of time.
ADVERTISEMENT
The ban, which was later reverted, drew rare criticism from MPs of the ruling National Democratic Congress.
The Majority leader Alban Bagbin said the minister was acting like ‘Don Quixote’ and that the directive had no legal basis.
READ MORE:Cashew exports ban suspended
Deputy Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Banda in the Brong Ahafo region, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim described the directive as “very weak and illegal,” questioning the basis of the directive.
Cashew farmers at that time derided the directive, saying it was putting the farmers at the mercy of two processing cashew plants.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
It's regrettable Ghanaian journalists no longer talk about galamsey — Sir Sam Jonah
Police arrest 1 person in connection with Odumasi-Badu Road robbery in Bono Region
Asantehene urges government to involve private sector in GRIDCo, ECG, VRA and others
Robbery attack claims life of University of Energy and Natural Resources student
11 out of PNC's 16-member NEC resign, form new party called PNP
Informal workers beg for cash to cope with cost of living crisis — Report
Report reveals 850,000 Ghanaians pushed into poverty by gov't debt and market closures
'Businessman' remanded over robbery of former second lady and others at gunpoint