Revival of Astek will not collapse Blue Skies – Nsawam MP
The Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Mr Frank Annor-Dompreh has dismissed claims that the resuscitation of the Astek Refresh Pineapple Juice Factory, renamed Nano Foods Limited, at Nsawam will lead to the collapse of the Blue Skies Pineapple Processing Factory.
Instead, he said, the revitalisation of the fruits’ processing company that collapsed in the 90s would complement job creation efforts in the area.
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He noted that the location of both companies at Nsawam in the Eastern Region was an asset to create jobs for unemployed youth in the area.
He said: “To think that a collapsed business has been revived just to collapse another business is so petty and we must not play politics to such a level."
Blue Skies is a privately owned company located at Nsawam-Dobro and was established in 1997, while Astek was set up in the 80s for processing and packaging of fruits such as pineapple, but collapsed in the late 90s.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new Nano Foods Limited under the One-District One-Factory (1D1F) programme, Mr Annor-Dompreh, reiterated that the government's interest was to generate jobs for the people in the interest of national development.
He, therefore, called on the people to rally behind the government to achieve its target of improving the economic conditions of citizens while seeking to support industries to sustain their production levels.
The factory was resuscitated with funding of of 1.6 million dollars through the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) and the Ghana Free Zones Board under the 1D1F.
The factory, which started operation in April this year processes Pineapple into juice, slices and chunks in different can sizes as well as mangoes and palm oil for the local market and export.
It currently creates about 300 direct jobs and works with 13 farmer-based organizations for the supply of raw materials.
Nana Osae Ababio, Chief of Fotobi, near Nsawam, said Nsawam an ancient town was well noted for factories, including; Astek and Nsawam Cannery, which employed many youth in the area.
However, he expressed regret that all those companies had collapsed but was hopeful this time around Nano Foods would stand the test of time.
He also said, "Thievery has been the bane of most Ghanaian industries" and appealed to the employees of the factory to work with diligence and honesty.
He was particularly happy with the engagement of 13 farmer-based groups to ensure a constant supply of raw materials.
