Gov't to revamp Quality Grain Project

Mepe (V/R) Aug.6, GNA- Ghana is to revamp Aveyime Quality Grain Company, which was hit by a multi-million dollar financial scandal leading to the incarceration of Mrs. Juliet Woodard Cotton, the American Managing Director of the company and some Ghanaian public officials.

Vice President Aliu Mahama, who made the announcement at the weekend at Mepe in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, said valuation of the farmland; mill and other equipment had been completed, awaiting a strategic investor to partner Government.

" Upon the completion of this process, it is my expectation that the project will provide over 10,000 jobs," he said.

Vice President Alhaji Mahama was speaking at the 52nd durbar of the chiefs and people of the Mepe Traditional Council to mark the annual Afenorto festival to show appreciation of the gallantry of their ancestors during the Sagrenti war of 1874 and also signify the beginning of another traditional calendar year.

The Quality Grain project was the brainchild of the former administration of the National Democratic Congress in 1998 to assist Ghana to wean itself from the large chunk of money being spent annually to import grains,the national staple.

Assessing the capital for the project was rocked by scandals leading to the trial of Mr Ibrahim Adam; former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Nana Ato Dadzie; former Chief of Staff at the Osu Castle, Dr Samuel Dapaah and Dr George Yankey; senior public officials for wilfully causing financial loss to the State.

The long delay in the execution of the project had led to public outcry since the equipment for the venture were lying idle.

The Vice President said Government was also taking measures to reactivate the Juapong Textile Factory, expected to provide jobs for 8,000 people.

He said Government had spent 11 billion cedis to construct the Mafi-Adidome township roads, whilst the 30-kilometre road linking Sokakope and Adidome has been awarded on contract for tarring at the cost of 91 million cedis.

"I have also instructed the North Tongu District Assembly to make provision in its 2007 budget to revive the Mepe Roman Catholic Bishop Bowers Junior Secondary School that has been abandoned since 1989.

"In addition the Ministry of Education and Sports has been directed to include in its 2007 budget the construction of a dormitory for Mepe Kizito Secondary Technical School."

Vice President Alhaji Mahama said 16 towns and villages at Adidome District were being hooked to the National Electricity Grid.

Government has spent 471 million cedis on the National Health Insurance Scheme at Adidome.

Vice President Alhaji Mahama said 747 million cedis had been disbursed for the Capitation Grant in the North Tongu District and 65.5 million cedis for the Ghana School Feeding Programme in the area.

He paid tribute to the late Paramount Chief of Torbgega Kwao Anipati, IV, and asked the people to walk in his footprints to bring glory to the traditional area.

Togbega, who ruled for 25 years was a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1979 and the Consultative Assembly in 1991.

The Regent, Togbe Ezekiel Kordzo Nugbienyo asked the people to work hard and within the confines of the law.

He spoke against unguarded statements by politicians that associated development in areas were the people voted for a ruling government.