The Jirapa Municipal Assembly in the Upper West Region has graciously welcomed a business delegation from Accra, intent on investing in a long-abandoned factory initiated in 2015. This facility, originally envisioned to store and package tomatoes and various vegetables upon completion, has been left vulnerable to the elements, with portions of its roof torn away, thus jeopardising some of its equip­ment.

During a guided tour of the premises in Jirapa, the Jirapa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Peter N. N. Toang, disclosed that he became interested in the pack house merely three months after assuming office as MCE.

He revealed that he collaborated with the former District Chief Executive (DCE), Cletus Seidu Dapilaa, who not only initiated the project in 2015 but is also the current Member of Parliament for the area.

Toang indicated that the MP, Cletus Seidu Dapilaa, introduced him to the current Minister of Agriculture, Eric Opoku, who diligently sought and secured an investor, known as Farm Mate Africa, to revitalise the project.

The MCE expressed optimism that the inspection would lead to the establishment of an agreement that would be mutually advanta­geous for both the Jirapa Munic­ipal Assembly and the investor, Farm Mate Africa. He articulated his hope that the initiative would generate additional employment opportunities for the local popu­lace.

Mr Sena Amevor, the Found­er and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Farm Mate Africa, remarked that he had encountered similar projects across the nation, where numerous pieces of machin­ery and ancillary facilities, such as light bulbs, ceiling fans, and other equipment, were in disrepair. Thus, he was taken aback to discover that the factory in Jirapa appeared rela­tively intact, save for the damaged roof and ceiling. Despite the minor deficiencies, Amevor maintained that these issues were resolvable by his company.

He explained that Farm Mate Africa operates a comprehensive nationwide vegetable and tomato value chain and outgrower scheme. He clarified that the company’s focus encompasses the entire value chain, from production and pro­cessing to distribution.

The facility in Jirapa, he posited, would facilitate the extension of the company’s nationwide tomato and vegetable outgrower scheme into the Jirapa community.

Amevor also expressed his anticipation that the facility would enhance the company’s capacity to produce high-quality tomatoes to supply the market.

He noted that a team would be dispatched to Jirapa prompt­ly following the inspection for stakeholder consultations, aimed at understanding the community’s requirements regarding tomato and vegetable production.

This team, according to the CEO, will also evaluate the avail­ability of water resources and farmer-based groups to conduct a detailed needs assessment, thereby gathering the essential data re­quired for the company to advance.