Newmont, GIZ $4 Million Agric Modernization Processing Plant

By Lawrence Manu-Gyan 

A state-of-the-art Ginger and chili pepper processing plant dubbed the Asutifi Processing and Services Center (APSC) has been inaugurated at Subriso in the Asutifi South District of the Ahafo Region, to process ginger and chili pepper. 

The facility can process two metric tonnes each of pepper and ginger in 8-hours. The facility currently employs 15 direct workers and 30 indirect employees all involved in the processing of ginger and chilli pepper. 

The processing plant can boast state-of-the-art agro-processing machines such as a ginger brush washer, a conveyor, a ginger slicer, a bubble pepper washer, a pepper blancher hammer mill, a ginger packaging machine, a four-tonne multipurpose Peper and a ginger dryer.

During the inauguration of the facility, various speakers admonished workers at the facility to demonstrate a high sense of professionalism to ensure the sustainability of the APSC. 

For his part, the Managing Director, of Newmont Africa Unit, David Thornton emphasized the Company's commitment to improving the livelihoods of residents of communities in their operational areas and assured of Newmont's continued support to see to the success of the plant.

The Newmont-funded Asutifi Processing and Services Center (APSC) is in line with Newmont Ghana's objectives of creating value in its operational areas. With support from Injaro investment advisors and GIZ, the processing plant aims to create a functional value chain that will be beneficial to farmers in its operational areas. 

Consequently, a short ceremony to officially inaugurate the facility has been held at Subriso near Hwediem in the Ahafo region. It was attended by the management of Newmont Ghana, Injaro investment advisors, and GIZ as well as farmers and players in the agricultural sector.  

Interacting with the media, the general manager of the APSC, Patrick Kwame Asante, described the facility as a game changer due to the immense benefits the Bono and Ahafo area stands to gain.

He disclosed that there are strategic plans to ensure a steady supply of raw materials to feed the facility which includes strengthening the Outgrower system. Some beneficiary farmers who spoke to GBCNEWS were hopeful the facility would positively affect their farming.

"We used to struggle to get buyers for our produce but with the siting of this factory we now have a ready market for our produce as well as agricultural support from the stakeholders" .