By Maxwell Awumah
Ho, July 15, GNA – Private sector operators and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council are collaborating with Malaysia to establish a kenaf production industry in the Volta region.
The initiative, under the aegis of the Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, aims to generate income and attract foreign exchange earnings.
In this direction, an eight-member delegation, who were sponsored by the private sector operators, have visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to familiarize themselves with the cultivation of the plant to replicate it in Ghana.
Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), is a fast growing and high-yielding plant of the hibiscus or marrow family, is an upright plant that can reach five metres in height.
It is rich in fibre, pulp and minerals and takes between 3-4 months to mature.
The team is expected to invest in the whole value-chain of the plant and establish varied agro-processing industries for well-paid sustainable jobs.
The delegation visited some institutions connected to the kenaf industry, including plantations, Kenaf Industry Association of Malaysia and the Ministry of Commodities and Plantations.
The Minister, Datut Seri Johan Abdul Ghani, expressed commitment to supporting Ghana to develop the full value-chain of the plant on a win-win situation using the 1,000 hectares’ models, which rakes in an annual income of $200 million.
The Minister consequently asked a renowned researcher, Dr Noor Intam Anuar, to become an ‘Ambassador for Ghana’ on the kenaf project to support the VRCC for shared benefits.
At a press conference, Mr George Sika, the Project Coordinator, said a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a Memorandum of Understanding were signed with Malaysia.
He said the Kenaf Ambassador and her team of experts were expected in the country in August for a possible start of production.
He announced that the Malaysian Ministry of Commodities and Plantations would provide the VRCC with advanced kenaf seeds for multiplication and trial tests.
The Project Coordinator disclosed that the delegation again had a meeting with the Asian-Africa Chamber of Commerce with a willingness to invest some $3 Billion in various sectors of the Region’s economy and Ghana at large.
Mr Sika said the parties had acquired some 5,000 Hectares of land in the South Tongu enclave for commencement of planting activities and multiplication of seeds.
He said the VRCC had also established a Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) and a management board for effective coordination to ensure successful delivery and positive outcomes.
He called on all and sundry to join forces with the Volta Kenaf Development Company, being instituted for business.
Mr William Dzamefe, Regional Director of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), said Malaysia promised a container full of foundation seeds to begin the project.
He said food security of the Region would not be sacrificed for the kenaf initiative and the Region would want to maintain its position in rice production with its 23 per cent to national production figures.
Kenaf production comes with establishment of farms/ plantations, processing of leaves into animal feed, processing the back of the plant into fibre for production of jute, bags, paper, ropes.
Its seed could be processed into high edible oil, medicinal oils, building materials absorbents, veneer, glue, cosmetics, and 31 different products.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Christian Akorlie