The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ayensuano, Joshua Yaw Frederick Lartey, has called on government and private investors to support the establishment of factories and agro-processing ventures to harness the district’s vast agricultural potential.
Mr. Lartey said Ayensuano, known for its cassava production, has the potential to feed both local and international markets if the right investments are made.
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“We will appeal to the government, as part of its big push, to help us with more factories, so that we’ll be able to produce starch for export and gari for consumption,” he explained.
Addressing the media after taking his turn at the public hearing of the Local Government and Rural Development Committee, the DCE disclosed that plans are underway to establish a Farmers’ Service Center to provide farmers with access to government support programs and improve farming systems in the district.
He urged private investors to take advantage of Ayensuano’s fertile lands and youthful workforce.
“I’m appealing to investors to come to Ayensuano, because we have very fertile and vast land, which is good for commercial activities like industry. I want to make Ayensuano an industrial hub,” he declared.
Despite Ayensuano’s potential, Mr. Lartey admitted the district is struggling with poor roads, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, and land litigations. “We have a problem of bad roads, teenage pregnancy, unemployment and land litigations,” he said.
To address youth unemployment and curb rural-urban migration, the DCE revealed plans to establish the Ayensuano Technical Institute. The facility will provide training in trades such as oil and gas, plumbing, carpentry, and masonry.
“If we can put this technical institute in place, students will learn handwork…and at the end, they will be able to feed their families,” he stated
On illegal mining (galamsey), Mr. Lartey said steps are being taken to curb the practice. “Since I came, I invited small-scale miners to my office for us to discuss and find a lasting solution. Initially, they didn’t come, so I wrote to them myself. We plan to meet on the 26th of this month,” he revealed.